I thought I'd do something different in my review of this CD, and do a play-by-play commentary on the demos contributed to this Rowe Productions release. Ready? Here goes:
COVENANT- "Innocent Blood"
Part groove, part doom, fairly good choice for an opening cut. Bit rough around the edges...
NOISZGATE- "Five"
Muddled sound aside, this is progressive thrash that has possibilities. From what I understand with the blurb inside on the CD notes, the vocalist died from leukemia the same year this was released. Pity. This would've only gotten better with time...
ERASE- "Alone"
Metalcore from the Great White North, eh? Good track, one of the better produced of the bunch...
FRANK'S ENEMY- "Torturer"
Although I admit the sound quality on Neoblasphemies, the CD this song is taken from, is light years better than on Not Silent, this is still one of the weakest cuts here. Pass...
AMNOS- "Scars Of Brutality"
I had to do a double-check to make sure Mr. Rowe didn't try to slip a demo from Triumph of Mercy in here, as this cut sounds like low-grade Mortification. Again, pass...
SLAMCAT- "Nothing"
Pretty good groove metal going on...and then the vocals kick in. Yeesh...
S.O.G.- "Nevertheless"
Hardcore that sounds like the vocalist from Accept is fronting. That's a compliment, by the way. If they're still around, I'd like to see this band live...
ULTIMATUM- "World Of Sin"
The second version of this song, the first of which appears on their demo tape Symphonic Extremities. A better version is found on Puppet of Destruction...
VINDICATION- "Coronation"
Whoops...
DEAD PHARISEES- "Ripped"
Breaking down...can't...resist...ARRRGH! Okay, what'd they do, hook up a mono tape recorder and hit record? MAN this cut frustrates me. Otherwise, the cut has a nice Crucified / early Suicidal Tendencies flavor to it...
CORPSE- "Dead To The World"
Excellent death metal...
ANTITHESIS- "Sacrifice"
I'm beginning to wonder if this Antithesis and the Antithesis that released Dying for Life are in fact different bands. The band on this comp is hardcore, as in the music style. Good track, but would someone tell me what's going on here?!?...
SOVEREIGN- "Image"
Thrash-based metal that suffers from A TOTAL LACK OF BASS. Not to mention mid-range. And a guitar solo that seems oddly out of place...
FAITHBOMB- "The Down Road"
Probably not their best foot forward, after hearing cuts from The American Jesus. How come the slower parts are more upfront than the heavy parts? This song frustrates me. It seems to want to burst forth and be heavy, but this seems unneedingly subdued for its own good...
CRIMSON THORN- "Dissection"
NOW WE'RE TALKING!!! A cut from current American death / grindcore overlords Crimson Thorn...heh, heh. Although not the best cut from what would be Dissection, still heavy as stink and hands down the best cut on this comp. There's wisdom in making this the very last cut- otherwise, if it were first, there'd be no need to listen to the other songs, and the bands included would be left without someone to listen to. It's like putting the opening act on after the major draw...
...constructive criticism aside, I do want to mention that the lyrics that these guys write are totally Christian. Steve did a very good job making sure that the tunes on this collection were very up-front about their faith in Jesus Christ. And, although it does seem that I spend a little too much focusing on the production value of songs (hey, it's my nature), I realize that this is a collection of demos from the bands. The liner notes include the lyrics, the addresses of the bands (granted they're still around- this was released in 1997), how much their merch is, and a photo of the band (except for S.O.G.- unless they really ARE stick figures). Fairly good comp in my opinion, although I probably wouldn't pay more than $10 if I knew then what I know now...
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Critical Mass #2Reviewed by Tom EdmondsonEvery compilation album is a mixed bag, usually. This one certainly is. I think it's because in America so many bands feel like they must follow the latest trends, or, so many American bands feel like they have to be more ministry minded than metal minded. This is a fallacy (don't lose me, you'll see my point). While in Bible college I took a class called, "Church Growth" My professor made a…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by D_ListerIt says U.S. Hard Compilation, but there are 2 bands on this the newest Rowe Productions Compilation CD that are from Canada as well. So it might have better been named North American Hard Compilation. What you get here is an awesome display of 15 bands, for under $13. Right off you're getting your money's worth. I don't know about you but I love compilation CD's. This one is one of the best I've…
