Holy Mother - Agoraphobia
Holy Mother, Holy Shit! One of the most middle finger in-your-face take no shit aggressive metal albums out there. It's defiantly a breath of fresh air for some who want something different in the Metal scene besides all the power and symphonic Metal that we all know and love so much, as well as some of us that just want to rock out with a stripped down blast of riff driven guitars.

Agoraphobia combines the raunchy splendor of bands like Sleeze Beez, Asphalt Ballet, and a more aggressive Guns and Roses, giving this record the same feel as per say, Skid Row's "Subhuman Race," remember how aggressive and heavy that album was.

The album stays constantly heavy throughout, lacking any ballads, keyboards, or any overproduced schlock, creating a more down to earth vibe. The songwriting toyings prevent the album from falling into any cheese factor, while creating an anthem-like atmosphere for many of the record's cuts. Agoraphobia opens up with the Nevermore-ish "Success" then quickly follows up with the bassline/low guitar groove of "Modern Day God" reminiscent of the old school Bang Tango meets early Pantera, you can say it's an odd combination, but just listen to this record, it's there. Like most of the songs on this record, the groove and the melody take precedent along with a high strain of tight chops. The guitar work coincides with aggressive drumming that fits well with the gritty vocal style, not to mention the lyrics are a cynical take on many themes that have been absent from Metal lately, just look at some of the titles. Other key cuts on the record are the spaced-out riffed laden "Hungry for Exxstacy," the Sabbath-esque "Skitso," and the dark "Nympho."

To sum it all up Holy Mother has laid upon us one hell of a Metal album, completely heavy, beyond any expectations that I might have had for the record, thinking by the cover that it was going to be another power Metal band, but yet that is another lesson learned in the whole "don't judge a book bys its cover" phrase. For the last word, this album should satisfy all Metalheads looking for a more down to earth record filled with riffs and void of any bullshit.

Written by Hashman
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Show all reviews by Hashman

Ratings

Hashman: 8/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


This article has been shown 2730 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments











Review by Hashman
None

Released by
Steamhammer/SPV Records - 2003

Tracklisting
1- Success
2- Modern Day God
3- Heaven's Door
4- Agorophobia
5- Hungry for Exxstacy
6- Society, Anxiety
7- Skitso
8- Nympho
9- Never Say Die
10- Sheer Erotica


Supplied by SPV


Style
Heavy Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Other articles
Interview with Tommy Hellbent - (Hashman)



Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
Elegy - Labyrinth of Dreams (Reissue)
CoverHaving sold more than a quarter of a million albums in their career, it often seems that the Netherlands pro....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Alanna)
Virgin Steele - Life Among the Ruins
CoverMost people know Virgin Steele as this impossibly grandiose power metal outfit that sometimes dabbles in hints of epic progressive. From the early 80s of the powerfully proud "Noble Savage" to th....
Read full review






(Hashman)
Yngwie Malmsteen - Facing the Animal
CoverAll hail to Mercury Records for releasing what was one of the most stand out Metal records in the nineties, which oddly enough came from a major label, especially at a time when most commercial record....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top