Opprobrium - Mandatory Evac |
Published March 27 2009
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Dark Science |
| Genre | Thrash Metal |
Francis M. Howard
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 12 |
Francis M. Howard
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 32 Min. |
Luiz Carlos
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Guitar
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| Label | Metal Mind |
André Luiz
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Bass
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| Release | 03 November 2008 |
Moyses M. Howard
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Drums
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| Country | USA |
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Krisiun, Mortification, Sepultura | ||
Let it be known that Opprobrium are Incubus! This is the very act - the amazing deathrash duo -who introduced us to Serpent Temptation and Beyond The Unknown, in the late '80s and early '90s. These two dualistic deathrash masterpieces are mandatory for any true tactful skull banger, or for anyone who has the undying hunger for power, thrashing death.
Even though Serpent Temptation has never been officially released on CD, it was re-recorded in 1996, with new vocals, song arrangements, and lyrics. By this time, the Howard brothers had embraced a Christian foundation, and wanted their lyrics to reflect their new found faith.
Metal Mind have thankfully re-released this version of Serpent Temptation, as well as Beyond the Unknown, under their new name - Opprobrium - as limited edition digipaks. They have also re-issued the debut - Discerning Forces, which originally came out on Nuclear Blast in 2000. Incubus were compelled to change their name to Opprobrium; in order to avoid any confusion with the alternative rock act from California.
Opprobrium is a Latin term that renders as - "that which leads to disgrace or contempt". Perchance, the Howard brothers see themselves as being fake, or pretenders to the throne of inequity; unworthy of their saviour's love and forgiveness. Or are they, in fact, the deceived ones?
Opprobrium took a long hiatus after the debut album, but became active again, once approached about the Metal Mind re-masters. Thus, they have recorded their new album.
Mandatory Evac is a very terse, but brutal, and intense accumulation of the old Incubus and Opprobrium releases. The Howard brothers wrote and played all the music, with some session musicians assisting. Although, they will never match the vitality and passion of the first two Incubus indulgences, Mandatory Evac is still quality thrash.
Krisiun's Kolesne brothers are Incubus inspired. Many of their dark deeds of decimation are shadowed in the ageless, venomous riffs of Incubus. Lyrically, they are the antithesis to Opprobrium. Their well-known style is similar to Vader, Morbid Angel and Angelcorpse - three other bands who cite early Incubus as an influence.
On the other hand, Brazilian advocates of Destruction - Bywar - are clearly influenced by Opprobrium/Incubus's heretic signs. This is why Bywar are a band of booze brothers worth discovering.
As Incubus maintains their roots in Rio de Janeiro, they can be linked with the early breed of brutal Brazilian bands like Sepultura, Overdose, Dorsal Atlantica, and Sarcofago. Since they are classic deathrash, discerning fans of Pestilence, Asphyx, Transmetal, and Sacrosanct will appreciate their acrid anthems of escapism, with a certain accuracy. As they are proto-Christian, followers of the way of Mortification, Vengeance Rising, Believer, or Metamoia open your hearts.
The blood conflict of religion may not appeal to devotees of the dark, science seekers, or those who aim to journey beyond the unknown. For the most part, the Howard brothers exhort, rather than preach. They serve to create incidents of reflection, in order to overcome ignorance, daily stress, and the serpent's temptation. I assume that they do this because, they are sick of this world of stress, solitude, and daily sin, that they find themselves living in.
Francis' sadistic sinister tone is quite effective. It is as if he is drowning in torment and merciless torture. This compulsive warrior, kneels in supplication, battling moments of despair, and doubt. His anguish is reflected in his sick, gravel, gristled grunts and growls. His guitar histrionics are punchy, crunchy, and caustic. Moyses' tense commanding drum dynamics, and acrobatics are killer, born out of rage and rebellion. Unfortunately, they are not as fast as the past.
The mayhem initiates with Dark Science - a brooding contextual assault on personal discovery, and free-thinking. Next is - Never Found - a glorious gaze back to the primitive years of supernatural death. The title track - Mandatory Evac - is reminiscent of brutal Incubus suggestions such as - Blaspheming Prophets, Mortify, and Certain Accuracy. The CD ends with the scornful - Sick Of This - a rippin' genocidal tirade which forces me to just hit play again on my CD player (yeah, I still play CDs!), ensuring that the massacre is reborn.
Some of the songs are brief bursts of sonic aggression like - In The Shadows, Incident, or Fake. They incorporate pugnacious punk influences, with spiritual consequences. They involve and evolve with an attitude like São Paulo reprobates: R.D.P. (Ratos De Porão). I also detect a hint of DRI, MDC, The Exploited, or some Sodom songs.
The production is muddy, and muffled, and resounds the vinyl solution. The album is too succinct, ending before my head has stopped rotating. In fact, over the last twenty years Opprobrium/Incubus have only provided us with about three hours of free, singing, tormented thrash. Perhaps, they are pacing themselves; but for once, I'd like an album over 45 minutes, with no filler, or any minor threat on one's personal beliefs.
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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7 |
6,5 |
6 |
6,5 |
7 |
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Summary
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6,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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