Zozobra - Harmonic Tremors
Rating
RIYL
NeurosisIsis
Old Man Gloom
Cave In
Label
Hydra HeadTracklist
1. The Blessing2. Kill And Crush
3. Levitate
4. Soon To Follow
5. Silver Ghost
6. Invisible Wolves
7. Peripheral Lows
8. The Vast Expense
9. Caldera
10. A Distant Star Fades
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My view of the heavy metal genre has become so jaded of late that only the most exemplary and innovative records have been able to catch my ear for more than a few tracks’ running time. These are albums produced by bands like Isis and Giant Squid, among other contemporary metal giants, who know how to push the boundaries of their chosen style but still craft a cohesive musical experience. Zozobra, yet another Cave In side project (this one, like Old Man Gloom, fronted by bassist Caleb Scofield), just barely misses out on having their name added to this short but undeniably substantial list with their flawed debut offering, Harmonic Tremors; a strong collection of tunes that lack the wholeness needed to make it truly memorable. And yet despite their omission from the list, this talented group of musicians still deserves to be categorized, albeit in an entirely separate kind of folder; one labeled “bands to watch.”
“The Blessing” kicks off Harmonic Tremors with a bang that foreshadows the dominating concussive force of songs to come; a creative energy that works both to Zozobra’s favor and their detriment. This is because the album’s opener, like many other songs found later, flings itself into the fray without introduction or build-up, seemingly beginning at its own halfway point before establishing for the listener the how or why behind its creation. Sadly, the band follows this pattern almost all the way through, resulting in a compilation of good but disconnected heavy metal songs with jarring transitions and very little consistency from one track to the next.
But this isn’t to say Zozobra’s debut is wholly worthless; many of these songs are quite well-done and the frequent stylistic alterations (which provide for much of its uncoordinated overall structure) definitely keep things interesting. You’ll find everything from doom to sludge to space rock on Harmonic Tremors, and the band executes each with appropriate flair and obvious natural chemistry. But regardless of how determinedly Scofield and company try to flesh out their many diverse ideas, they seem incapable of making them all come together into a finished album. Hopefully their next effort will combine their raw talent with the focus and deliberation necessary for making a more lasting impact.
--Scott Miller
Comments
Saskatchewan, Canada
Holland
...this is the end.
Cradle Of Filth
The Whip
Psyclon Nine
AFI
CKY
Colorado Springs, CO
Tucson, AZ
Finland
Sacramento, CA
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
AZ
www.myspace.com/arcoftheaurora
Cleveland, OH
Scene Point Blank / Escapist Records
Olathe, Kansas
could have used more description in the review. you never really say how the album sounds. just that they make "heavy metal songs."
Tucson, AZ
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
PA
[FONT=Arial Black]ANCESTOR. [/FONT]
http://www.last.fm/user/Scotticus_Prime/
Olathe, Kansas
no need to apologize. it is a tough disc to wrap up in a neat little package. usually a sign of something good.
Olathe, Kansas
this is true.