Lethargy
Purification
5.6
Some announcements before we begin:
This Lethargy is not the now defunct band of the same name that featured in its ranks Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher of Mastodon and Erik Burke of Brutal Truth. Those of you expecting that band can stop reading now.
Those of you expecting a metal record can also stop reading now.
Anybody left?
Purification is the debut cd from Welsh rockers Lethargy. Lethargy’s Myspace page lists the band’s style as Rock/Alternative/Experimental. I would say a more fitting description is Rock/Butt/Generic. Lethargy has a commercial rock sound that would fit comfortably in a radio playlist amongst the likes of Godsmack, Staind and Nickleback.
Lethargy employ the kind of chunky dropped-d riffing that has infected modern hard rock since grunge gained prominence in the early nineties. Lethargy, however, does have a sort of bluesy southern swagger to its sound and a penchant for the wah-wah pedal that gives the songs at least a little character.
Vocally, Lethargy is quite strong. The lead singer has a powerful, clear voice and a very melodic style. The backing vocals are also quite strong, and used to great effect on the choruses which are always huge sounding multilayered affairs.
The problem is that aside from a few catchy choruses, none of this music is very memorable or interesting. Precisely how this band gets off calling themselves experimental, I have yet to divine. None of these riffs will sound remotely fresh to you and none of the song structures vary from the standard verse/chorus/verse format to any large degree. Purification is contemporary commercial rock and nothing more.
Purification is not an awful record. For a rock record, it might even be half decent. I am pretty sure I would rather listen to Lethargy over Hinder, but if I had my choice I would much prefer to listen to Celtic Frost or Mercyful Fate. I suspect most of our esteemed readership would feel the same. You can skip this one. These are not the droids you are looking for.
