Belligerent Part One: The Killing State Of The Art
(Greyhaze)
Reviewed by : Greg Pratt Rating : 6.5
This Brazilian band is actually following up their last release, Belligerent Part Two, with this: Belligerent Part One. Hey, do what you have to, I suppose. I ain't going to try to figure it all out, too busy thrashing out to the scissor-beat-laden polkastep of tunes like 'Save The Last Tyrants' or the sludgier, heavier sounds of 'Labels For Mass Murders' and drooling at the death-tinged (but never quite death metal) atmosphere of this heavy thrash. Too bad about that clicky, separated production sound: if this one had a really raw feel to it, the vibe would be killer. As is, there is no vibe apart from dudes sitting in different rooms in a studio laying down some killer tunes. Point off for that, point off for loitering around a good 10, 15 minutes too long. But I like what DROWNED are doing and they probably sound great drenched in booze at the local longhair watering hole after a long week at work. Here's hoping for next album out they can get a production sound that has more feeling to it, which is what their capable thrashing death (that also carries with it just a touch of the cowboys from hell groove) deserves.
