OPAQUE - Resolve (Root Of All Evil)

"In general, the declination of society becomes the source of most lyrics. Fine lines exists between what people consider right, and what people consider wrong. Opaque explores this line and asks the question "why did that person do that ?" A person considered to be "good" or sane commits an act of violence. What drove this person to do it? It is in this we have come to choose the name Opaque. "

A good premise to begin with, but how do Opaque go about addressing this. By utilising that well known staple - shouty death core. But doing it very, very well. From the intimidatory cover art to the menace of the lyrics, Opaque seem to be moving ahead in leaps and bounds. When we reviewed their appearance on 4 Way Bloackade in April 1999, we said;

"Opaque have a more straight ahead approach to their brand of muscular Pantera-esque metal, and a right on PC mentality that makes them uneasy bed mates with 612, but in Mike Grabow they have an excellent Phil Anselmo soundalike that adds bite to the bludgeon riffola."

Unfortunately, upon completion of the recording sessions, Mike Grabow decided he didn't want to continue with the project and the search for a new vocalist resumed. After auditioning a group of vocalists, Brian Jamison was added to the line up. With Brian the band rewrote lyrics to five more songs and are continuing on with new material. Brian rerecorded the vocal tracks on all songs but one. This has resulted in a more Meshuggah like approach to metal, and although the intensity remains, the edge from the original demos seems to be slightly lacking.

Having said that, this is a powerful release, but the line up change and rerecordings seem to have damaged their impetus. Good, but not great. The potential is still there.

http://www.rootofallevil.com
http://www.opaquetheband.net

Mother Goose - "Junior Magic" (Seriously Groovy)

We like Mother Goose, we have described them as "Coming on like the bastard offspring of Syd Barrett and Kim Fowley", and we stand by that. And here's their first elpee for Seriously Grrovy. Shame its a digipak. I hate digipaks. Not as much as I hate coffee drinkers, but close.

Fortunately, the music is rather splendid. I like it best when they're cool, calm and collected ala the single "Village". I like it least when they do bad Sonic Youth impersonations ala "Mozart". However, I'm sure the All Tomorrows Parties crew would lap it up like the sad little monkeys they are. And why isn't the plural of monkeys, monkies?

The press release them describes them as "very Finnish", so I'm sure that clears it up for you. We were also taken rather sneakily by the murky "Modest Dreamer" and the mad, bad, don't let your children near them, "Snow Dome". Fall fans will love it, and we have to agree with "Top Tune Mate!". If we gave marks, this would have one. A mark that is, not 1.

http://www.seriouslygroovy.com/
http://www.geocities.com/kunstjet/docs/menu.htm

SUTROBATH - SPIRIT OF THE AUDIO

Doyens of the MP3 world, Sutrobath have taken some of their finest offerings and commited them to CD. A breath of fresh air round our way, what with l;ush orchestrations, melodies and hooks to die for. It could easily be the seventies, when rock was as big as the width of the trousers.

Of course that also makes it scarily relevant in a world where Train are huge. All songs are written by multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Mike Soiseth and drummer/vocalist Rob Wollam, and they know their way round a quaver. First song, "Old", is very ELO, replete with harmonies, and to someone of my advanced years, evokes recognition. "Rome" is another gem, with wah wah guitar,and vocal effects.

Not everything is of another time, and there are nods to Radiohead, Coldplay and Travis, but without the stupefying after affect. Add in some thought provoking lyrics and you have a CD that just gets better. Buy it now, and if you don't believe me, download a couple of tracks and get your credit card ready for the full monty.

http://www.sutrobath.com/
sutrobath@hotmail.com
kunstjet@hotmail.com