Albums

Album Review: C-187

Album: Collision
Label: Mascot Records

C-187 are an international supergroup. There is no denying the pedigree of Patrick Mameli (from Dutch band Pestilence) or vocalist Tony Jelecovic (from Swedish band B-Thong). Combine that with the two Americans, drummer Sean Reinert (Death) and bassist Tony Choy (Cynic), and you’ve got yourself an outstanding line-up. So how did such a talented bunch of guys come up with an album that’s so staid?

‘Collision’ is all punchy, fizzing guitars and spasmodic, popping drums. Together they batter you relentlessly in a dizzying attack of vehemence. Unfortunately Jelencovic’s trash-talk menace just simply parodies what grimy nu-metal bands were churning out many years ago and it just sounds so ancient. They appear to be busting all the right moves but it’s a bit like watching your dad dance. This has got to be some kind of in-joke, right?

‘Stalker’ starts with a disturbing phone call supplemented by dark unsettling guitar, stuttering drums and a sizeable dose of vocal vitriol, whilst ‘Homicide’ collapses in a disturbing mess of lyrics which grind out a slow and ultimately painful listening experience. “Violently I will get you, hold you, strap you down, make you scream like a pig”. Every track brings yet another formulaic chunk of aggression and ultimately another reason to press the off button and end the misery.

‘Cruisin’ 4 A Bruisin’, ‘Sidewalk (Chalk)’, ‘PCP Murda (In My Head)’ - it’s easy to see why this album feels so dated. For a band schooled in the art of death metal it’s quite a strange departure and one that they obviously thought was the right move at the right time. For me, it’s not one step forward but two steps back and plays like a fucked-up car crash of Dillinger Escape Plan and 50 Cent - certainly a collision you’d be best off avoiding.

For fans of: Dillinger Escape Plan, Candiria, B-Thong
Band links = C-187

Buy this CD!

Tags: album, cd, c187, collision, review, 187, jazz, rap, metal

John’s review also appears in Empty Playground.

Bookmark to:

Previous & Next