Customer Reviews

3-D

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this album back in '91 after seeing the video for 'Surrounded By Idiots'. And what a funny video that was. I was completly blown away when I popped this into my car. This album was the most original, inspiring, creative music at the time. Brad Divens(bass/vocals) sounded a bit like James Hetfield.
But the music was so far away from anything that Metallica produced at the time.Great production every song is fantastic......I really can't think of a track that I don't like. Each song burns with an intensity and direction I really never heard from an American band before especially on a softmore effort. The riffs are so sick,heavy and original( I can go on and on). The drumming is fantastic and intricate(way to go Shannon Larkin).The lyrics are funny and well written. Nothing sounded like this at the time and nothing still does............a real fun album to listen to.
One word that comes to mind is variety and in the world of metal(especially back then) that was hard to come by. Their first album 'Climbing The Walls'(3 Stars)sucked compare to this gem. The production was horrible and the songs lacked any bit of direction. They took a huge leap forward on this one and it really shows.....it is undeniable how awesome this cd still is.
They would later go on to change their name, record company and style in '93.But this album stands the test of time.......still just as fresh now as it was in 1991.

This was truly one of the best bands of the late eighties, early ninties. A lot of people think that Climbin The Walls was their best album but I personally liked 3-D better. This album has a lot of groove and melody to it and has some killer riffs. You are really missing out on a good heavy metal album if you don't have this one in your collection. Don't let anyone tell you that this album sucks because I bet you would like this album better than a lot of this new stuff coming out these days and I aint joking. If you feel safer buying a used copy of this album then do it but I'm telling you that you will not be disapointed. Now I'm not saying that this is the best album that you will ever hear so don't take me the wrong way. Well, that's all I have to say so quit wasting time and get this album.

Wratchcild America has always had a unique style but on the album "3-D" you can distinctly hear a band maturing and coming into its own. The album is populated with exceptional lyrics, music that was a little too far ahead of its time, and lessons on how to play instruments and create arrangements from some exceptional musicians. The band later morphed into Souls at Zero as the music scene began to change and, at that time, the band became even more focused. The only thing missing from this band is the recognition it truly deserves.

Glad to see this album recieving a modicum of its just deserts almost 20 years later -- it still rocks! Every track is strong as the band flows through, and sometimes shifts musical dimensions at breakneck speed. Definitely in a metal framework indicative of the times (metallica/whatever), but wildly original -- coalescing hardcore punk, rock and roll, speed metal, country, reggae and everything else into terrific arrangements topped with great lyrics (which i believe were written collaberatively by the drummer and singer?). Espoused in the title track, "Why must people categorize and live the propaganda lies? I've learned not to believe the hype, just go with the urge to create."
I first saw Wrathchild America opening for Pantera in a small theatre. Great show overall, but I came home with the "Surrounded by Idiots" T-shirt not the "Vulgar Display of Power", because Wrathchild hit me on so many more levels than Pantera. I haven't heard this record in five years and the songs are still ringing clearly in my head. Unfortunately, this band was too late -- there was a time in the 70's when you could be a great band and get recognized without all the MTV hype and the flavor-of-the-week mentality at the major labels. But they never got that chance: The band name was lame (much more appropriate for a british poof band), the first album was mostly uninspired (probably a critical albatross), and they weren't easy to package into a specific market.
I don't take the time to do many reviews here, but this album is really worth its salt. The production and mode will sound somewhat dated to a modern listener, but the material on the record and the soul of this band are timeless. Now's the time!

I've had this CD for about 10 years now. The music is dated just a bit, but back in the day.. it was on a par with most HM bands. The only problem was, it was never really put out there to the general public. I hear a few bands mixed in with their sound.. but to me, they are not blatantly copying anybody. I especially like how they employ a good bit of beat changes.

You might wonder why I'm writing this review.. almost 16 years post production. Well, a co-worker borrowed about 25 of my CD's.. and gave them all back to me (which is a good thing).. but since lending them to him, I filled in a few slots in my CD jukebox. When push came to shove, I had to make a decision.. Wrathchild America or 1 of 2 Stone Temple Pilot CD's. I settled on Wrathchild America over both STP's.

I have seen the references to Metallica, but quite frankly, everyone out there around the early 90's, was compared to Metallica.. but comparisons shouldnt diminish how good this CD is. If you ever have a chance to pick it up, just remember to give it a chance.

Seriously, you do. Wrathchild America was sorely under-appreciated. This album demonstrated that the band was ready to, and capable of, writing "metal" songs that weren't cookie cutter/formulaic. The track "Prego" is named that because when it comes to musical styles "it's in there". My personal favorite tracks are "Spy" and "Desert Grins". The ending of "Desert Grins" leads immediately into "What's Your Pleasure?", a track about the "Hellraiser" movies/mythos. "I Ain't Drunk, I'm Just Drinkin'" is an all around fun song. It's a blues song with the distorted "metal" guitar, holding true to being both a "blues" song and a "metal" song.

If you like your metal loud, fast, and dumb, go elsewhere (preferably somewhere where you can't breed). If you like your metal loud, fast, innovative, and at times funny, BUY THIS IMMEDIATELY.

this cd made the last one sound bad(climing the walls had some great songs but lack alot)this one is far better and more mature musically.this cd is still one of my favorites to this day but after this they became souls at zero another tranformation much heavier and more powerful and dark (I think the tour with pantera 91 influenced this)but in 4 years they will disappear after 2 cd and an ep as souls at zero but shanon lankin will end up drumming for godsmack after a short stay withugly kid joe?!

First heard them on headbangers ball featuring the song Spy. The album is consistent with good lyrics and changes. The beginning song hits hard hits beginning with lyrics that set it apart from the normal dark, blacksunday atmosphere. Gentleman death features excellent guitars and a memorable twang. The next also has good atmosphere guitars with long riffs. Surrounded by idiots ends the first side and continues with desert grins which is one of my favorite songs. "Peace my friend, before its too late"

Another decent thrash metal band that never got their just due. What did these guys put out, like two CD's before their label dropped them? Maybe not truely original nor ground-breaking but Wrathchild America was worth catching. Cannot even remember if I've ever gotten to see them although in their existence, I did see quite a lot of metal bands. Tunes here I was most impressed with were the title cut "3-D", the slamming "Gentlemen Death", "Surrounded By Idiots" {possibly an anthem?} and "Prego". Line-up: Jay Abbene-guitar, Brad Divens-bass & vocals, Terry Carter-guitar & vocals and Shannon Larkin-drums & vocals. Would have made a keen support band for Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer or Overkill. Not to be confused with the British glam band (Motley Crue wanna-be) Wrathchild.

One evening, about 16 years ago, I was watching Headbangers Ball on television and the video for "Surrounded by Idiots" came on. I watched it, chuckled and got caught up by the infectious grove of the song. After the video was over, I was left wanting more; I had to find out who these guys were. I went to my local record store (Kemp Mill Records) and found their CD on the shelf and quickly purchased it, even though I didn't have a CD player. CDs at the time were pretty scarce as they hadn't quite hit mainstream at the time and the variety of artists pressing on CD was limited. I had a friend of mine copy the CD onto tape for me so I could listen to it endlessly; this album quickly became a staple in my rotation of Metallica, Megadeth, etc and was heavily played. I was excited to find out that they were also a band local to the DC area, which meant they played in local venues quite a bit. My first concert ever was to see them play at a small club near my house. I had to argue with my parents to let me go because they didn't understand; they thought it was going to be some kind of drugs and sex show, because to them, the "sex, drugs and rock-and-roll" moniker associated with the era had also carried over to heavy metal.

They had just released "3-D" when I saw their show so they played mostly the new material, which I was able to recognize, although they played a few songs from "Climbing the Walls"; I distinctly remember them playing "I ain't drunk" and the entire crowd got into the song. It was a laugh riot. At the end of the show, I purchased a t-shirt (the one with the 3-D album cover, which I had since probably thrown away) in the lobby of the club. I was wearing it when Brad, Shannon, Jay and Terry exited to the lobby from the club and started to sign autographs. I took my shirt off and had them sign it. This was my most prized possession. These guys were my rock gods.

Anyway, I saw them several more times at the same club and before they changed to Souls At Zero, before Shannon left the group. I was able to acquire a few yellow guitar picks with "Wrathchild America" emblazoned on it. Another item I kept safe.

I was upset when I heard they had changed their name and sound. Although some were pretty heavy and aggressive, it lacked that diversity that 3-D delivered.

I was lucky enough to find "Climbing the Walls" on Amazon a few years back, as well as Six-T-Six to round out my collection of W.A./S.a.Z. albums. Now these songs fall into a heavy and extensive rotation of all metal on my MP3 player when I hit the gym or go for a long run, and the nostolgia of being a kid again is a welcome escape from my daily toil.