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I know that the labels people use to describe music are all essentially meaningless, but the phrase on the press release - 'neo-giga-brutal' - tells me even less than usual. "The Quake" is the mutant offspring of Rage Against The Machine and System Of A Down. The way the instruments drop away, giving the bass the chance to shine briefly shows the band understand that you have to use the 'quiet' to get the most from the 'loud'. The song ends with FX-laden guitar, which almost against my better judgment has me intrigued to hear the rest of the album. "5 Seasons" is chaotic, yet tuneful, like Chuck Mosely-era Faith No More. The title "Halcyon Days" promises an elegiac few minutes, but the Red Hot Chilli Peppers-style bass promises something much funkier. This song heads off in many directions, but none of them sound random. "Hollywood" has the power to create moshpits where ever it is played. The rap-style vocal might not be as in favour as it used to be, but it's as effective as ever.
"Hammering The Sun" starts with a full-on metal assault, but it also sends reserves around the back to out-flank the listener, ensuring compliance. The quiet interlude two minutes is an impressive addition to its arsenal. "Ocean" has pile driver-style drumming, mixed with tension-filled throbbing guitars. This is the sound of Henry Rollins having written a song with Porcupine Tree. The track ebbs and flows, as its title suggests it might. Sikh show what you can achieve with metal if you have ambition, ability and imagination. "Ballad Of The Harmless" is not a ballad per se, but possibly the closest Sikh will come to such a thing. It has a Nirvana-esque feel. The mellow mood is immediately dispelled by the high-octane "Psychotro", which is every bit as intense as the title suggests. If every song was like this the impact would soon be blunted, but this song is powerful. Subtle keyboard before the end helps add piquancy. The vocal effect using "One More Piece" has the unintentional effect of making singer Kallaghan sound like Doctor Who's nemesis Davros. Sikh are from France, do they have Doctor Who there? Even when the singing doesn't recall the creator of the Daleks, the emotion is palpable, filled with anger and frustration. The unpleasantly named "Box My Balls" recalls Type O Negative at their most juvenile, with a side serving of The Chef's "Chocolate Salty Balls" song. The album ends with "Slaves Of The 70s (Wisky)" which brings proceedings to a close in a rambunctious manner. Metal can be dumb and still be fun. Yet, what we have here is loudness tempered by intelligence. When metal is tempered it is heated and then cooled, as a result it becomes harder and more durable. Here endeth the metaphor. |
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