SONG REVIEWED: "Sting Mask"
I HAVE REALLY GROWN TIRED OF ALL THIS "NU-METAL" GARBAGE. THE LUSH RECORDINGS, THE FAKE DRUMS, THE BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERIC SINGING INTO THE OH-SO SCARY SCREAMING. I'M SORRY, I JUST DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE OR THE ATTENTION SPAN FOR THIS STUFF ANYMORE. THESE BANDS JUST DON'T BLOW ME AWAY LIKE THEY INTEND TO. I NEED SOME BLACK FLAG AND I NEED IT NOW. THE BAR NEEDS TO BE RAISED AGAIN BECAUSE MUSIC IS GETTING TOO CHEAP.
THE PROBLEM WITH NECK, AND ALMOST ALL THE BANDS TO COME SINCE THE "NU-METAL" INVASION, IS THAT I'VE HEARD IT BEFORE AND THEN I'VE HEARD IT SOME MORE.
THE RECORDING HERE IS IMMACULATE. THE STEREOTYPICAL VOCALS GO FROM LUSH MELODIES INTO THE ROID RAGE SCREAMS, THE GUITARS ARE THICK, THE BASS IS GRINDING AND GROOVING ALONG, THE DRUMS ARE IN FULL EFFECT, COURTESY OF D-DRUMS (A COMPUTERIZED DRUM TRIGGERING SYSTEM). OVERALL, THE PRESENTATION IS VERY NICE AND THE GOODS ARE DELIVERED IN A NEAT SOUNDING PACKAGE.... BUT THE GOODS AREN'T DELIVERED WHERE IT COUNTS.
I THINK THE REASON NECK FALLS FLAT HERE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER TOO MUCH GROUND ON A 3-4 MINUTE SONG. I DON'T THINK ONE PART REPEATS AND THAT MAKES THIS SONG QUITE FORGETTABLE. ITS LIKE HEAVY BACKGROUND MUSIC. I THOUGHT I WAS WAITING IN THE DENTISTS OFFICE FOR A MINUTE. I THINK A LOT OF BANDS HAVE LOST SIGHT OF HOW TO WRITE A GOOD SONG IN THEIR QUEST TO BE THE SCARIEST BAND IN THE LAND. WE NEED TO REGROUP.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS "NU-METAL" CRAZE TO END. ON THE ONE HAND, I THINK ITS GREAT THAT HEAVY MUSIC IS BACK IN THE MAINSTREAM (REMEMBER THE 80'S?) BUT THE INCESSANT CLONING OF THESE BANDS IS RIVALING THE CLONING OF ALL THOSE BOY BANDS, AND FRANKLY, ALL OF IT IS MAKING ME SICK.
(ON THE PLUS SIDE, THEY HAVE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING WEBSITES I'VE EVER SEEN! - Steve)
