Torture Tunes

ALBUMS UNDER REVIEW

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

It comes out sounding like Canada's own EXPAIN eh! So grab a two-four of some beer, some smokes and some friends and check this out. Let’s get started with "Bacchus"... the intro to "Aggressions in Progerssion". What a sound! The guitars carry a different time than the rhythm section. I have only heard this in one or two bands. Here, Expain makes it an art. Oh yeah, and listen to the bass riffs...amazing.

"Phoenix Writhing" the guitars tear up the groove and there's even a bass solo for us bass freaks! Then enter "The King" and "Don't worry, the Worst is yet to Come". These songs have guts pouring out of em all over the place. "Allegiance to Pain", "Idol Worship" and "Manatee" brings more of the same ear splitting turbulence. Then there's "Headbang your head Off" that has the "grind core" feel - like Cannibal Corpse.

Speaking of cannibals..."Eating a beating Heart" hits you like brick in the throat. And now the ending tune: "A.T.M." - what can I say, other than the riff is relentless and the vocals are dangerous. If you like experimental music as Black Sabbath did with "Never say Die" and "Technical Ecstasy", then you'll have no problem with EXPAIN.

Downside is some songs sound the same. But the upside is this is stuff I have not heard before. They list a band "Isosceles Project" as an influence. Check them out too to see where Expain is coming from. I love the jazz overtones and the bass solo in "Phoenix Writhing". The hooks and riffs in the other songs keep things interesting.

All said and done, I give EXPAIN "Just the Tip" a big 8. Originality and grind core mixed with jazz... you can't go wrong!

Tim Duran, HMS

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