MOTHERSTONE - review added 3rd February 2011
Album Review: Terror Is Over (2011)
For fans of: Alt Metal... and escaping the asylum
"Terror Is Over" is the third in a trilogy of releases from Italian band Motherstone about insanity. It follows the "Biolence" LP from 2008 and the "Through The Paths Of Insanity" EP of 2006.
The band was formed in Rome in 2003, and lists JJ Mammasasso on male lead vocals, Vale on female lead vocals, Ivano on 'fat tunes' (which we assume is bass), Rik on drums, and Danihell on 'high tunes' (which we assume is lead guitar).
The sound is a mash-up of thunderous power metal riffs and rhythms, devilish death metal screams, and clear, crisp female vocalisations. It's a weird old mix, but it works.
Good:
Both singers make a fine sound. The death vocals are genuinely meaty and gnarly, and totally devoid of all pig-rape sounds. Vale's feminine intonations are very pleasant indeed. The contrast between her sweet (though still rock-orientated) sounds and JJ's devil growls work better here than on most other albums where that combo is tried. Some of the guitar sounds are brutal and promise much for this band's live show. Same goes for the drums and bass.
Not So Good:
The songs are brilliantly interesting on a second-by-second basis, but as a whole few if any of them are that catchy or memorable. It's a weird phenomenon, but even after hearing the album twenty-plus times I struggle to remember any of it. Maybe I'm missing the pont of sampling Metallica at the end of track 2 / start of track 3? Seems wasted and lets a hint of unoriginality creep onto the record for no reason.
The Songs:
Opening track 'Face Your Fate' is the closest to greatness, but other than that the album is a collection of brilliant but unconnected sounds.
In Summation:
"Terror Is Over" is a bunch of awesome performances that conspire to make a very middling album. Get the songwriting right and these guys will kick ass in a huge way. They aren't there yet, but keep an eye on them because the ingredients are there.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Check out... The sound these guys can make.
Track List:
01. Face Your Fate
02. 24/7 Sedation
03. Mental Wreckage
04. Frozen Waters
05. How It Began
06. All Denied
07. Satellite
08. Dead Man Walking
09. Down To My Knees
10. Terror Is Over
Artist's website(s): Motherstone | MySpace | Facebook
