Ghoulunatics
Cryogénie
6.7
What would you expect from a band called Ghoulunatics? Thrash? Death metal? Some sort of crossover-hybrid? Well, you’d be right – there’s a little bit of each of those here on Cryogenie, which somehow results in some sort of Impaled-meets-Soilent Green sound. Making matters even more interesting is that the entire album is sung in French, the most unmetal of languages. I thought it was funny enough when Martin LeCroix bellowed “Merci! Merci beaucoup!” on Cryptopsy’s None So Live. This is more giggly funny than HA-HA funny, but still, it’s funny.
I’m not really sure what to say about this album, though. It’s a lot of mid-paced thrash with some nice grooves that often reminds me of my ol’ buddies in the now defunct Stitch (who released one album on Prosthetic/Metal Blade). The vocalist sounds a lot like Jeff Walker, and I’m sure that he and the rest of Carcass are a major influence on these guys, although they hide it well. They pick up the pace for the Sepultura-esque “Monstrueusement Votre” and “Guerrier Pixelise”, though, which helps give the album a little more flavor.
There is nothing inherently wrong with Cryogenie. It’s just nothing particularly exciting. It’s solid, though, and an enjoyable listen, but probably won’t find much playing time with you unless you either are French or have a particular affinity for the French language, which is unfortunately the only thing that really sets this apart from similar sounding albums.
