OPPROBRIUM
"Discerning
Forces" (Nuclear Blast)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Death metal veterans Opprobrium, the brother tandem of Francis Howard
and Moyses Howard, used to go by the name Incubus until the "Make Yourself"
Incubus rose to such levels of popularity as to force a name change. Luckily for us, Opprobrium tramples the ubiquitous rap/metal
hybrid like a monster truck over the twisted metal of junkyard ghosts.
From the brothers' origins in the metropolis horrors of Rio de Janeiro through the swamps of
Louisiana, the fertile Howard minds have spawned another death metal juggernaut. What is most
impressive about "Discerning Forces" is the valiant nature in which these veterans have
shown all the death metal pretenders how good this maturing musical form can be.
Opprobrium's tight craftsmanship, bolstered by complements only genes can provide, echoes the
rapid destruction of modern society on our humanity. The savage death metal riffs are
complemented by a thrash-like sense of rhythm. Tracks like "Unclean" and "Ancient
Rebellion" hit with the fury of deliberate force. The rhythmic intensity of "Drowning" and "Merciless Torture" are
whiplash inducing monuments. "Moments Of Despair" is a combustible tune while "Awaken To
The Filth" closes out the disc with superb intensive violence.
The vocal delivery is in the vein of classic death metal - nothing so
great as to say there's anything groundbreaking, but it does fit Opprobrium's vibe quite well.
"Discerning Forces" is a death metal album that even true metal fans could love.
Opprobrium is Francis M. Howard on guitars and vocals, Moyses M. Howard on drums, and Andre
Luiz on bass.
For more information visit http://www.nuclearblast-usa.com/index2.htm, click on bands, and select Opprobrium.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2000 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 05 Aug 2024 11:18:32 -0400
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