Ex-Korn guitarist, Brian Head Welch, makes a very Korn sounding release which is ironic since the latest Korn album never sounded like Korn. Brian is sure to come under fire for sounding like his origins but i’ve no problems with that since he was instrumental to their development. It may be more debatable that his singing style mimics Jonathan Davis but he caught me in a moment when i was eager for big hard rock with a sinister undertone (and that’s either damn funny considering his religious conversion to or further proof that christianity is the most diluted religion of all).
You may have already guessed that there are no revelations here but a good afternoon headbang is sure to be had. The songs are succinct, ranging from 3 to 4-and-a-half minutes. The tone of ‘Paralyzed’ would’ve been snug on the Queen of the Damned soundtrack. Even the lyrics do their best to fit the mood: “The smell of sacrifice, your disappearing whispers…don’t kiss me goodbye.” Halfway through, it violences up a notch with a kickarse bridge. The song makes for a helluva introduction. ‘Whip It’ maintains consistency with dingy guitars and screams. ‘Chemicals’ is understandably the first single with its rapid beginning, layered vocals and melodic chorus. I enjoyed the alliteration, “You’re the killer and the kisser.”
With only 3 tracks it would’ve been an old school single but 2 x Har Megiddo remixes got thrown in so that Chemicals becomes an E.P. LOVE AND DEATH certainly wet my appetite. Give me more!
