C-187 - Collision

[circus_brimstone]

C-187 – Collision
Mascot Records – M72252 – August 31, 2007
By Jason Jordan

In theory, the debut from supergroup C-187 should be a masterpiece of epic proportions. Unfortunately, though the lineup consists of Tony J.J. (vocals; ex-B-Thong, ex-Transport League), Patrick Mameli (guitars; ex-Pestilence), Tony Choy (bass; Atheist, ex-Cynic, ex-Pestilence), and Sean Reinert (drums; Aeon Spoke, Cynic, ex-Death), Collision is about as pleasant as a car wreck, which is to say not very.

Frankly, it’d be easier to stomach this 14-track album if most of the lyrical content didn’t focus on (faux)gangsta-related subject matter that rarely fares well when delivered via metal rather than hip-hop, rap, etc. Song titles such as ‘Drugged and Mugged,’ ‘Murda,’ ‘Homicide,’ and ‘P.C.P. (Murda in My Head)’ are just plain silly when one considers the esteemed musicians involved. Nevertheless, the title track opening is an okay start, projecting a Meshuggah-like tendency for organized disjointedness, and while Collision has riffs, leads, and ambient tones that intermittently recall Cynic and Pestilence, the presence of jump-da-fuck-up attitudes, everyman shouts, and cringe-worthy lyrics makes C-187 a mild embarrassment. Also, there are a couple songs that repeat lines far too frequently, especially ‘Knee Deep In,’ during which you’ll hear “Got myself knee deep in this shit now / Got myself knee deep in this shit” 10 times in three minutes. Of course the musicianship is tight, but no one expected any less.

Collision is one of those records that’s not even good enough to be labeled a disappointment. Instead, it’s best it be forgotten since this tripe is only a minor blemish on the members’ respective bodies of work.

Official C-187 Website
Official Mascot Records Website

 

[Dr. Abner Mality]

How dreadful! Can't believe these guys are doing wigga stuff ala Limp Bizkit!uke: What are they trying to prove????

 

[Satanstoenail]

Yeah it's a shame, this album could have been great considering the players on it. There are some good musical parts. Mameli's signature sound is still there. The production is good. The decision to hire Reinert & Choy as rhythm section was genius. The problem is the vocals and lyrics. What the hell was Mameli thinking?

 

[ShredHeadJHJ]

I don't obsess over lyrics, & I don't really even listen to lyrics much of the time when listening to music. Sure, the lyrics are dumb, but the vocal melodies do nothing for me as well. I just look at this album as being something different that's probably worth a spin every few months. I think the album has great guitar solos, but it is plagued by medicore riffs. It is a somewhat different concept to expect from these guys though, & that's why I don't hate this album.

 

[Dr. Abner Mality]

I don't obsess over lyrics, & I don't really even listen to lyrics much of the time when listening to music. Sure, the lyrics are dumb, but the vocal melodies do nothing for me as well. I just look at this album as being something different that's probably worth a spin every few months. I think the album has great guitar solos, but it is plagued by medicore riffs. It is a somewhat different concept to expect from these guys though, & that's why I don't hate this album.

Well, nothing said here makes me want to rush out and pick this up, that's for sure...

 

[STINNETT]

Being arguably the biggest Cynic/Pestilence/Atheist/Death fan you are likely to encounter (I even loved "Spheres" for crying out loud) I was beyond thrilled when I heard about this project. I was a little apprehensive about the name, but I just figured "What's in a name?" and held out for the music.

Then I heard it.

To call this album a disappointment is like calling a tsunami "high tide".

I tried so hard to like it, believe me. I am such a pathetic fanboy regarding all the musicians involved (except for the vocalist), that if anybody was going to stick up for this stuff it would be me. The truth is, I would be literally embarassed for anyone to hear me listening to this drivel. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely top notch musicianship and the guitar solos in particular are fantastic (although hopelessly out of place), but to hear it all in the context of mind-numbingly stupid "gangsta" imagery and adolescent "tough guy" histrionics just renders it all a wasted effort.
Give me an instrumental version titled "Track 1, Track 2, etc." and I might suffer through a few listens. I'd probably still be put off pretty quickly by the regurgitated nu-metal riffs, but at least I could enjoy a few hints of musical virtuosity here and there without being pelted with what can only be described as the intellectual inferior of Fred Durst barking nonsense at me incessantly.

As a 15+ year fan who worshipped everything these guys did - I'm sorry to come off as disrespectful, and I wish Patrick the best of luck with his endeavors - but I'll be satisfied if I never hear this album again. What a let down.....