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Forbidden - Omega Wave

Published November 16 2010


*
=Staff's pick

Alpha Century
Forsaken At The Gates
Overthrow
Adapt Or Die
Swine
Chatter
Dragging My Casket*
Hopenosis*
Immortal Wounds
Behind The Mask*
Inhuman Race
Omega Wave


Genre Thrash Metal
Russ Anderson
Vocals
Tracks 12
Craig Locicero
Guitar
Runningtime 62 Min.
Steve Smyth
Guitar
Label Nuclear Blast
Matt Camacho
Bass
Release 25 October 2010
Mark Hernandez
Drums
Country USA
-
Keyboard
Producer Tim Narducci/Craig Locicero    
Similar artists Testament, Annihilator, Havok

Forbidden, a late-comer to the Bay Area thrash scene, was originally the baby of current Machine Head guitarist Rob Flynn. Flynn would go on to join Vio-lence shortly after and would not play on the band's debut, though three of his songs ended up on it. After two strong albums, Forbidden began to go the way of fellow later-era thrashers, and disintegrated with two unsuccessful '90s releases.

History lessons aside, Omega Wave has been touted as something of a "comeback" record for the semi-obscure thrash act. Their first album in thirteen years, the album purposefully makes a point to recall its roots, complete with an album cover that homages the band's first record, Forbidden Evil. To be candid, I have only listened to the band's two original highly-regarded records and thus find it difficult to judge if the band succeeds in actually "recalling" anything or if they have just continued on the same stylistic path.

That being said, the album is certainly done in the Bay Area vein, with musical elements that are characteristic of the first two aforementioned albums, albeit with more melodic sensibilities. Russ Anderson's voice seems to have lost some if its ability to hit the high register notes with age, and finds itself in something of a generic midrange that isn't quite aggressive enough to support the riffs nor melodic enough to accentuate the reprieves.

Generic seems to be the word du jour for this album in general. As with so many older thrash acts attempting to get in touch with their roots - a sentiment that I certainly appreciate - the execution leaves something to be desired in practice. All of the elements are there, but the lack of youthful fire and a flat, digital production, combined with over an hour of staying time really drains the life out of this one.

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

7

7

7

7

 
Summary



7 chalices of 10 - Dux


Related links:

www.myspace.com/forbiddenofficial