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WRETCH
"Haunting
Conviction" (Self-produced; 2004)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Hailing from Oxnard, CA - home of the world famous "nardcore" sound, Wretch don't sound anything at all like Ill Repute, the most popular nardcore band ever. Instead, Wretch's "Haunting Conviction" is a devastating slab of five grueling metal tunes that sound like pure rage captured on disc.
Led by vocals that make Pantera's Phil Anselmo sound meek, a guitar assault that knows when to slow down and chunk it and when to shred it to pieces and songwriting that manages to stay structured while remaining fully destructive, "Haunting Conviction" is an impressive collection of aggressive tunes.
Then, just when you think you've got things figured out, Wretch throws a Disturbed-like vocal passage right in the middle of "Light Inside the Dark" that emphasizes further the band's originality and power.
"Haunting Conviction" is a mad mosher's dream but is stunningly listenable even the first time through.
Maybe Ill Repute won't be the most famous band from out of Oxnard for long ...
Wretch: Angelo Miles - voices; Vince Alonzo - guitars; Javier Morales - bass; Pika Maiava - drums, percussion.
For more information, check out http://www.wretch805.com.
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 © 2004 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
04 Dec 2023 22:19:32 -0500.
