Eminence - Humanology
Two Fat Men - TCLB406421 - 06/09/2004
By Patrick Walsh
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Brazilian thrashers Eminence is that they feature Jairo Guedez (original Sepultura guitarist) on bass. Now that that little piece of information is out of the way, we can focus on the fact that Humanology is a relatively bland attempt at updating the well-trodden Chaos A.D. Sepultura blueprint for the 21st century by adding predictable growled vocals, slick production courtesy of Neil Kernon and some irritating nu-metal elements thrown in for good measure.
The Majority of Humanology's 17 tracks are reliable but uninspiring Sepulthrash, with a slightly deathier edge but devoid of any real identity of its own. First track proper 'Evolution' lays out the band's agenda, with a stomping groovy thrash riff and disgruntled vocals. It's not particularly bad, but the band eschew any attempt at putting their own stamp on proceedings. Furthermore, they insist on using a highly annoying spoken, 'deep' voice on nearly every song that comes in at choice moments to say things like 'now dig this' ('6ix Degrees'). It's like something that one of those nu-metal also-rans from the tail end of that precarious movement would have done to add 'atmosphere', but it just sounds contrived.
17 tracks (including a few pointless interludes) of this kind of thing is way too much, and not once do the band attmpt anything new; even the tempo remains a virtual constant throughout Humanology. Don't even get me started on the sub-Cavalera lyrical direction, or the band thinking they're being clever by calling songs names like 'Democrasick (unless it's meaned to be a parody of Sepultura's 'Dictatorshit')'. They even blatantly rip off 'Rattamahatta' on 'The Freak I become'. Sheesh! You'd think a band that featured an ex-member of Brazil's flagship metal band would try to distance itself from being lumped in with them, but instead they appear to be trying to milk the connection for all it's worth. Like the risible Ektomorph, Eminence are peddling and inferior version of music that its pioneers moved on from over a decade ago. Avoid.
3/10
Official Eminence Website
Official Two Fat Men Records Website
Two Fat Men - TCLB406421 - 06/09/2004
By Patrick Walsh
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Brazilian thrashers Eminence is that they feature Jairo Guedez (original Sepultura guitarist) on bass. Now that that little piece of information is out of the way, we can focus on the fact that Humanology is a relatively bland attempt at updating the well-trodden Chaos A.D. Sepultura blueprint for the 21st century by adding predictable growled vocals, slick production courtesy of Neil Kernon and some irritating nu-metal elements thrown in for good measure.
The Majority of Humanology's 17 tracks are reliable but uninspiring Sepulthrash, with a slightly deathier edge but devoid of any real identity of its own. First track proper 'Evolution' lays out the band's agenda, with a stomping groovy thrash riff and disgruntled vocals. It's not particularly bad, but the band eschew any attempt at putting their own stamp on proceedings. Furthermore, they insist on using a highly annoying spoken, 'deep' voice on nearly every song that comes in at choice moments to say things like 'now dig this' ('6ix Degrees'). It's like something that one of those nu-metal also-rans from the tail end of that precarious movement would have done to add 'atmosphere', but it just sounds contrived.
17 tracks (including a few pointless interludes) of this kind of thing is way too much, and not once do the band attmpt anything new; even the tempo remains a virtual constant throughout Humanology. Don't even get me started on the sub-Cavalera lyrical direction, or the band thinking they're being clever by calling songs names like 'Democrasick (unless it's meaned to be a parody of Sepultura's 'Dictatorshit')'. They even blatantly rip off 'Rattamahatta' on 'The Freak I become'. Sheesh! You'd think a band that featured an ex-member of Brazil's flagship metal band would try to distance itself from being lumped in with them, but instead they appear to be trying to milk the connection for all it's worth. Like the risible Ektomorph, Eminence are peddling and inferior version of music that its pioneers moved on from over a decade ago. Avoid.
3/10
Official Eminence Website
Official Two Fat Men Records Website
