Rough Edge: TrueZeroHook CD Reviews

TRUEZEROHOOK

"Demo 2001" (Self-produced)

Reviewed by Alicia Downs

It has been about eight months since I have listened to TrueZeroHook. For a while there I was pretty content spinning their independent album, "Offenses Against Conscience." "Offenses Against Conscience" was an album that showed the potential of the Philadelphia local metal act. They combined some of the better thrash metal sounds of the day and kept things fresh where you could see TrueZeroHook developing and coming into their own over time.

Recently, I received their newest effort, a four-song demo recorded at Studio Crash in Philadelphia. The demo contains all new material and all I can say is that, after hearing these boys with "Offenses Against Conscience," their new material is atrocious of the best sort.

TrueZeroHook is evolving and in that evolution they are finding their own respective strengths and sticking with them. Notable is Phil Harris' vocal stride from minor player to fuck-shit-up vocal front man. Harris' vocals are now the beast that breathes within the music.

The opening track, "It Burns Inside," offers major musical player status from an unsigned band. The guitars are fierce and the drums pummel through the persevering vocals. This is up there with the efforts of Fear Factory.

"P.O.M.D.B." and "Remove the Skin" continue the onslaught in nothing short of wicked metal fashion. The only slow spells with TZH occur during the closing track, "Uprising," that just does not have the vocal tour de force as the others. The musical up-yours is still there but the drably sung chorus could stand to pick it up a notch; it sounded too familiar to the similar effort that was given in the prior track "Remove the Skin."

At the end of the day TZH is moving in the path of musical fortitude and their newest release is testament to that. This fresh blood is boiling with fervor.

TrueZeroHook is: Phil Harris (lead vocals), Chris Deschambeau (drums), Ben Kaminski (guitar), Greg Kirsch (Bass), and Jason Deschambeau (Guitar / Vocals).

For more info visit http://truezerohook.cjb.net.

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.

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