New Zealand Heavy Metal Forum & Discussion

[Phlegm]

It's hard not to view any music genre as a competion. Even looking through our pages, you'll see hardcore bands competing for the title of most shit-kicking ferocious and death metal band to out-brutalize each other. Doom metal and drone bands get in the ring to decide who is the heaviest and slowest at a pace much slower than any boxing match. It's really easy to get sick of bands trying to outdo each other, especially when so many eventually forget to concentrate on the music, which brings us to the no-bullshit hard rock approach undertaken by Spain's UZZHUAÏA on "Destino Perdition".

Fans of THE CULT's rock period should take note of barnburners "La flor y la guerra". Compared with Astbury, the vocals are smooth and lemon-soaked and definitely work in the band's favor (although some music elitists may beg to differ due to the crisp production). "Cuando ya no quede nada" starts with a ripping pace, coupled with destroying monster-rock riffs that could bring Godzilla to his knees. The song's pace then steadies and highlights the tightness of the rhythm section. If they owned a time machine, "Load"-era METALLICA would have done well to listen to "Purpura" with its brooding intro and catchy harmonies complete with a little harmonica.

Health warning: Chronic head bobbing is a guaranteed ill effect of album closer "Desde Septiembre" and repetitive album playing may well be terminal. All the band's songs are in Spanish but the potential language barrier definitely won't be a problem for anyone panning the rivers for solid nuggets of hard rock.

4.5/5