Wombatt "Basement Metal" CD
[self-released]
This duo (one person on drums and lead guitar, the other on vocals, guitar, and bass) recorded this CD in a basement, appropriately enough. I don't really like it, but I will say that they have a fairly uncommon style. Most of the riffs are moderately paced and have a traditional metal sort of feel, but the pace and some of the lead lines gives things a darker vibe, mixed with a rocked out edge that often keeps things from getting too dark. Straight singing vocals with some interesting harmonies lace the tracks and at times the vocal harmonies have an eerie 70's influence happening, almost in a weird progressive rock sort of way. A couple of the more rocked out guitar parts fall in line what that 70's aspect, too. "Conspiracy of Insects" is one of the quirkier tracks, with crazy lyrics, weird vocal melodies that are sort of disharmonic against the guitars, and individual basslines that stray from mirroring the other instruments. While "The Surgeon's Plaything" is faster and perhaps more forthright in delivery, without shedding all of their unusual traits. Having been recorded in a basement, of course the tones are fairly raw, but if there was more density I think they'd pull it off. Nothing sounds all that bad, it just needs more punch. The mix is okay, but the bass is really hard to hear and the vocal harmonies get way too loud on occasion. But the drums are dense, there's a good amount of low-end, I usually don't mind the rugged guitar tone (some of the leads have too much of a bite), etc. The layout is entirely black and white and consists largely of small band photos and text. Lyrics aren't included, just three band photos across the center spread along with writing credits for each song. Then the recording information and tracklist also appear alongside band photos, and that's about it. I don't know. On the one hand I don't mind the recording and the songs don't bother me so much, but on the other hand the songs aren't that interesting to me and the recording would probably make a difference on the impact were it a bit cleaner. There are some truly original passages here, and I think there's promise, but I can't get into what they're doing so much in its current state. (3/10)
Running time - 36:24, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: honestly not one song clicks with me, the whole just has some solid parts]
Wombatt - http://www.wombatt.com

This review has been displayed 1092 times.