A.N.I.M.A.L. Review Poder Latino (1998) Genre: Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Groove Metal, Rap Metal, Hardcore Punk

A.N.I.M.A.L.

Poder Latino (1998)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Groove Metal, Rap Metal, Hardcore Punk

I remember when I was a teen, and I had an alternative rock band that was making the transition to an alternative metal band and this album came out, really paving the way for metal bands back then

out of the blue  we had place to welcoming use to play thanks to these guys. This album was a commercial success here in Argentina and made it to the mainstream. I remember many of friends that weren’t metal heads buying this album, so this band real has the merit of being a fundamental element in our small metal movement.

Vocals and Lyrics: Andres Gimenez finally establishes his vocal style, and he shows a good use of melody. And as a treat Leon Gieco who is an old school rock/folkore singer is on the last track. Listening to this album in detail, I realized that my lead singer in my first band real used to copy ANIMAL’s lead singer, and still does.  8

Instrumentation:

Guitar: The Guitar is a Riff chugging machine.

Bass: Crovalan does good job, but the colossal bass solo on track six is Robert Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves and Metallica) that’s is guest on the album, it was a letdown to find out Corvalan didn’t play that solo.

Drums: The Drums have a super groove   7.1

Melody and/or Structure: As a said before Gimenez does a good integrating melody in some tracks, and the Riffs are great. 9

Sound, Production and Feeling: This album was produced by Max Calavera (Sepultura and Soulfly)  at indigo ranch were Korn and Limp Bizkit made their first albums, so you can hear their basic sounds in this album, but it’s little to conservative in the heaviness.  8

Songs: It’s probably their best album from start to finish, and you have 2 covers from the Ramones and Body Count. 12

The Bad:Nothing

                                                                                                     

Originality: They are the first Metal band to break into to the mainstream hear in Argentina and that were able to tour abroad10

Marilyn Manson Holly Wood (In the Shadow of the Vally) (2000) Genre: Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Heavy Metal

Marilyn Manson

Holly Wood (In the Shadow of the Vally) (2000)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Heavy Metal

This album is probably Manson’s magnum opus; it fuses and capitalizes on the best aspects from Anti-Christ and Mechanical Animals, and was able to filter out some of the short comings of those two albums. It’s the first Manson the I’ve ever got my hands on, I remember not being very impressed the first time I listened to it, but I’ve learned to really appreciate this production over time.  

Vocals and Lyrics: Beyond the shock aspect of the lyrics that get in the way at moments, the album has a strong political message. 9

Instrumentation:

Guitar: Its John 5 first album with Manson, he brings a heavier guitar attack to the band.

Bass: Twiggy does a good job.

Drums: Mr. Fish has some awesome drums.

Keys: Gacy’s sound selection for his Synths is great as usual giving cohesion to the album.  7.25

Melody and/or Structure: The songs structure depend more on heavy Riffs but melody isn’t forgotten 9

Sound, Production and Feeling: The production goes back to a more glichy and a Nine Inch Nails’ish sound, where Manson sounds the best. It’s one of his heaviest albums. 10

Songs: It’s hard to make a 19 track album and keep it interesting from start to finish, and Manson nails it. 15

The Bad:

                                                                                                     

Originality: This is Manson’s best album, Nuff Said.  10

Overall: 60.25

Serj Tankian Elect the Dead (2007) Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock

Serj Tankian

Elect the Dead (2007)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock

It took me a while to accept this album, because one  like myself, just wants Serj to keep pumping out stuff like of System of a Down, and on this project he strays away from the heavier side of things and explores other ways to deliver his musical music.

Vocals and Lyrics: His vocal work, lyrics and execution is very similar to his work on System. 9

Instrumentation:

Guitar, Bass and Keys: Serj plays most of the instrumentation, nothing brilliant but they serve the songs.

Drums: Drums are really good and intense in some of the songs, lots of double kick pedals on some tracks, John Dolmayan (on a few tracks) and Bryan the Brain Manta (Praxis, Primus and Guns and Roses), maintain the heavy metal essence of this project. 7.25

  

Melody and/or Structure: Serj sing a lot, so melody is pretty dominant and it gives an epic feel to the songs. 10

Sound, Production and Feeling: A clean but basic production. 8

Songs: The album has a perfect mix of those eccentric System of Down type tracks and epic songs that make this album enjoyable. 12

                                                                                                     

Originality: You see Serj in a new light, we see him starting walk down the road of a more alternative and experimental Serj Tankian. 8

Overall: 54.25

Marilyn Manson Mechanical Animals (1998) Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Glam Rock

Marilyn Manson

Mechanical Animals (1998)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Glam Rock

Man, Manson has some major balls coming out with an album about a transgender alien that becomes a rock star. I remember the up roar when this album can out, if this guy was parent’s worst nightmare with anti-Christ, this production visually left them in total shock.

Vocals and Lyrics: Lyrically this album is pretty good, throughout this album we have bizarre story of this alien called Omega, and Manson does make some interesting social criticism with this analogy, it’s too bad that his need to shock you does sometimes get in the way of the real message.  9

Instrumentation:

Guitar: To my surprise John 5 does not play guitar on this album, y he joins them when they start the tour, Zim Zum does the honors. The guitar composition on this album is fantastic; some of them are great to learn how to play. And Dave Navarro ( Jane’s Addiction/ Red Hot Chili Peppers) is a Guest on “I Don’t like the Drugs…”

Bass: Twiggy does what’s needed for these songs.

Drums: Ginger Fish`s drumming is as always interesting.

Key: M W Gacy’s sound selections for his synths are spot on; he helps define this album sound. 7.25

Melody and/or Structure: The song composition on the album the highest Manson will ever get. 10

Sound, Production and Feeling: It’s almost a complete 180 compared to Manson’s previous albums,  nice clean sound with a strong 70’s glam influence and I must say that I can hear some 80’s pop in there too, but the feeling of decadence is very well executed. 9

Songs:  Manson takes some major risks and each song is packed with surprises, it’s a rewarding listen. 13

The Bad:

                                                                                                     

Originality: This album really rises the bar in quality for Manson, and it’s too bad it’s not a standard for later  albums. 10

Overall: 58.25