Rigor Mortis - Rigor Mortis vs. The Earth
Review: Brilliant as usual in instrumentalism, Rigor Mortis return with an album that reflects the split in the band: while the epic guitar work arching above motion in connective structure is still present, it is buried between songs showing the "new" direction of primary creators in the band: fast goofy punk rock that bypasses beauty and structure for primal resonance in riff shape and rhythm. While this change continues the passion for value in the creative process, its aesthetic mixes poorly with the more neoclassical metal core of the band and creates something which, while it tries to be "fun," often overbears with its anthemic engagingly rhythmic and direct sound and in doing so, omits vital elements found on the first two Rigor Mortis releases.
Guitars are racing demons of fury, frenetic in their fission and resulting intensity of energy, contained by a nurturing framework of speed throbbing drums and bass, encouraged by a stiff-throated vocalist who enunciates quickly with little inflection to his voice except emphasis on conclusions. So integrated are these pieces that details of voice, strings and percussive accents match, and while this inducts cohesion it also adds a certain amount of expectability and tedious emphasis on symmetry to chorus rhythm. Lead guitars rise above it all, finding a lyrical voice in psychedelic space rock racing through metal patternings of convulsive melody.
Screaming through its confusion a raw pathos of alienation, this release illuminates tracks like "Mummified," "City in Fear" and "Contagious Contamination" but balances them against direct punk tunes often reducing theme to slogan and music to a series of engaging but isolated loops. Although serious ideas often make an appearance there are humorous and anecdotal intrusions which show dissonance in band concept between its more punk work and the conceptual, often poetic metallic influence. Not essential except for Rigor Mortis collectors.