Customer Reviews

Cannibal (Clean)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Unlike most Static-X reviewers on here, I can honestly say that I've loved every Static-X album released so far. Some have obviously been better than others, but they're all good. "Cannibal" has a more stripped down sound, the electronics are still there, but they are more subtle on these guitar-driven tracks. I must say, I kinda miss the electronics sometimes because its part of what makes Static-X unique, but they're still present enough to make the album sound like them. The album is pretty raw, offering nothing along the lines of more radio-friendly tunes like "Cold" or "The Only." The albums first single, "Destroyer" is about as mainstream as it gets. Speaking of "Destroyer", I felt this song was probably one of the weaker tracks on here. I was definitely more impressed with tunes like "Cannibal" and "Cuts You Up". There's also "Forty Ways" (which sounds like a more constantly heavy version of "Love Dump") and "Goat" (which sounds like a slowed down version of "Fix"). This album also offers some old school metal riffs on tunes like "No Submission" and "Chemical Logic", almost like a riff you'd hear on Metallica's Kill Em All album. What's also different about this album is that almost every song offers a guitar solo, which is unusual for Static-X to do. On my first listen, this album didn't strike me as anything special, but on my 2nd and 3rd listens, I found it very catchy and fun. Even though this album is heavier and faster than much of the songs from "Shadow Zone" or "Start A War", I think the band is having as much fun as ever...this is metal to shake your a** to!

In a way, i feel a bit bad for Static-x. They kind of created this little techno/Metal/Funk thing and the style is unique! Problem is, the minute they try something even remotly different, they will be pagued with the dreaded "sell Out" tag. I say this when reading comments about the "same sound", or the "Stripped down" sound of this cd and it makes me CRAZY!
Unfortunately for them, people liked their first cd too much!

When 'Machine' came out, people thought is wasnt as 'energetic' as the first cd, because every song wasnt going crazy. "Shadow Zone" was a 'complete' sellout because they attempted to cut back on the effects a little and add a miniscule amount of melody. 'Start a War' was supposedly "not as good" as 'Wisconsin...' and sounded tired.
What the hell can this band do that is right for the people yet gives them (as musicians)a little room to try something new? Thats the problem, and i feel bad for the band for that reason! They cant, and i think they now know that.

Now onto 'Cannibal'. This cd is a little stripped down, as in not having loops or effects on every second of the disk. I find this to be a plus! It shows they are relying more on being a band instead of relying on effects to carry a song. They find and use effects that work for the particular song instead of using them to appease "Wisconsin Death Trip" fans to the point of overkill. This cd is more of a mix of 'Start a War' and 'Machine'. The heaviness is there in layers, but there is just enough melody to make it click.

Best Tracks are : Cannibal, No Submission, Destryoyer, Reptile (Weird and heavy But extremely cool) and 'Electric Pulse'. But i am sure that list will grow with more listens. There are a few Guitar solos that surprise. Adding a more 'Metal' feel to the cd.
Bottom Line : If you liked them before, youll still love them. There really isnt much of a difference from prior efforts, but the songs are kick as*. You can put all their cds in a disc changer (including this one) and hit the random button without thinking twice. Lyrically, Wayne will never win writing awards, we'll just leave it at that. The funky, thick grooves are there in droves though, which is the reason to have it!
Dont listen to people who say this is not as good, or anything else. Its a pure STATIC-X cd. I think the band has come full circle and realize they can not do much in the little 'niche they created. But we wouldnt have it any other way.. I dont see many admiring them for at least their consistancy, so i will!! Thanks! Good to know you can still spend $12 and be happy.

The fellas are back in full stride with Cannibal. Evil disco is back. Just finished listening to the album that I pre-ordered from Warner site. They werent bs'ing when they said it'll ship sometime around the release date (but i got kinda ripped since it costed me like 24 dollars or something just for an extra song. Not even a freakin cool slip-case or dvd bonuses like they had on their special edition cd's.. maaaaan). My album has the extra track "Get up and boogie" since I pre-ordered it from the Warner site. The old days of short and catchy music/lyrics are back. Not a song is "sung" like in the Start a War and Shadow Zone. They even do guitar solos now. The tech-lectric background ambient noises are top-notch and compliment the songs well also. I think this is their most "metal" attempt thus far. Well done guys, now I can wear my static-x shirt again with pride.

I think I've read it all about this album. Too simplistic. Washed up. Shouldn't have gotten rid of the wall of sound approach. Blah, blah, blah.

The simple facts are that Static-X is a lot of fun. Are they the most talented musicians out there? No. But Wayne and co. know how to write some catchy tunes that are fun to headbang to. They have perfected what they do, and in my opinion, this is their best album since Wisconsin Death Trip. In the grand scheme of things, I think that their popularity has simmered down quite a bit from 1999-2000, but they make new music regularly, and it is always a solid effort. I don't know about all the negative reviews, because I am sincerely enjoying this album for what it is: a stripped down, hook-filled, in your face, "evil disco" opus.

I first got introduced to Static-X way back in '99 when Wisconsin Death Trip first popped onto the scene. I have been a fan since, and they have formed into one of my favorite bands. I don't care if a bunch of people don't consider them metal or not. I don't consider them metal anyway, I consider them alternative. Industrial mixed with techno influence topped off with the punk attitude of keeping the songs short, sweet and addictive. Quite frankly I don't give a crap if they are metal or not. My rule on music is if I like it, I listen to it. Trying to label stuff gives me a headache, listening to music nerds argue over what to label "metal" gives me a BIG headache.

I'm also not a person who wanted this to be Wisconsin Death Trip part II. I like bands that play with their sound and evolve, which is what Static-X has done while also keeping their distinctive sound. I don't want to buy the same CD over and over.

I might have agreed with the people on these reviews that the songs are not catchy, had I not listened to the CD multiple times. I knew before I listened to the CD that they were going for a stripped down, raw sound, but when I first listened to it I thought it was kind of forgettable. Over the past few days I've been able to listen to the CD about 10+ times (I'm an art student with a lot of time to listen to music) which is the only reason I feel I can give a fair opinion so soon since buying it. I can say now that I completely disagree with people saying that none of the songs are memorable. In fact after a few listens this CD really hooked itself into my brain and took over.

So I'm just going to break down the songs:
1. Cannibal - Love the beginning of the song, so odd and a nice wake up. Nice intro track to get you into the feel of the album.
2. No Submission - You can mosh to it, you can dance to it. Love it.
3. Behemoth - Awesome, a great blend of techno and rock. Love the trippy guitar solo.
4. Chemical Logic - One of my favorites. It's fast it's weird and I like that odd distorted voice.
5. Destroyer - I find it odd that this is the first single. It's a decent, catchy mid-tempo track, but it's not the best example of the overall sound of this album.
6. Forty Ways - I love this track so much. It's probably one of my favorite songs they have ever done.
7. Chromo-matic - This track is OK, good but not great.
8. Cuts You Up - Another one of my favorites, for some reason the chorus of the song reminds me of White Zombie.
9. Reptile - The weakest track on the album. The bouncy verses remind me of System of a Down. The song just doesn't mesh together very well.
10. Electric-Pulse - A decent track. Similar to Destroyer, catchy but not the best track.
11. Goat - Different track, starts with a mellow beat and builds to a kind of cool slow-grind kind of song. My only minor complaint is that the rhythm of the verse is really similar to "Wisconsin Death Trip."
12 Team Hate - A nice driving track to close out the album, another one that you could mosh to or dance to.

If I had to give a comparison to their previous albums I would say this album is kind of like Wisconsin Death Trip + Machine with a stripped down attitude.

Keep Disco Evil, and keep up the good work Static-X.

First of all, I'm not a fan of this band, so I'm FAR from biased. I bought WDT, their debut album when it was released and thought it was very good (gave it a 4 star review)but didn't give it much thought after that. Their following albums were dissapointing to me both musically and sonically so I never got around to buying any, just borrowed them. Then Cannibal came out and I was instantly hooked !! This album has a very fresh approach, a different style; yes, it still sounds nu-metalish, still has the evil-disco edge to it, but it's now more metal and the sampling is very restrained to a superbly pleasing effect, that's what it's all about, effect. While most people will tell you šthe songs go nowhereš, that appreciation is strictly uttered from a musical standpoint, because they go where I want them to, that is to say right to my stomach then right up to my brain !! This album is so heavy it's the musical equivalent to a kick in the groin !! Wayne Fukuda is a great guitarrist and is just not limited by genre boundaries anymore, unleashing apocaliptic solos that show influences as varied as Rammstein, Ministry and even an atonal Gregg Ginn-esque solo can be heard on one of the songs !!
Wayne Static sharpened his already hectic vocal style to an ear-piercing, stacatto shouting that actually sounds like another electric instrument if that were possible; it has to be heard to be believed !!
The production is breathtaking, the sound, dynamics,mixing, stereo imaging etc are flawless; they just don't record cds like this anymore, believe me !!
If 10% of my records had this good and aggressive sound, my stereo would have collapsed YEARS ago !!
Please don't listen to negative reviews and get yourselves this quick fix of intense heavy metal, you'll have the rush of your lives, guaranteed !!!

This album is AMAZING.. it takes a few listens to get used to the screaming... but this is truely their best album since their debut.

Its really, really heavy.. it reminds me alot of machine.. buts its still loads better, it opens up with cannibal.. busting out 2 guitar solos in just over 3 minuts.. then it goes into the crazy fast pace of no submission which it seems wayne static is actulally playing an instroment with his mouth.. its insane! my favorite song by fay.. then behomoth is what really reminds me of their debut album, its got the best 30 sec intro from static-X ever!.. well.. not as good as Love Dump on their debut.. but its still amazing!

Other notable tracks are:
reptile
destroyer
electic pulse

and really.. the entire album

only complaint: NO OSTEGO SCREW YOU STATIC-X SCREW YOU!!!!! lol

Since releasing their debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip, Static-X has not given a more evil disco effort than their latest album, Cannibal. It has been eight years (and four studio albums) since any music of their's has been able to closely compare to the style of their debut. The pounding, repetitive beats and electronic sounds have returned with a vengeance, and this could possibly be labeled the band's heaviest effort. This is not to say this is the best album in the catalogue, but grab a candle, because Cannibal deserves to hold one at least in the vicinity of Wisconsin Death Trip.

The first great improvement is Static-X bringing Koichi Fukuda, their original guitarist, back into the picture. After parting ways with replacement guitarist Tripp Eisen due to his issues with the law (which don't need to be discussed here), Fukuda was asked to re-join. He was an influence on the band's disco guitar riffs and programming in the early years, and there's a noticeable difference in style on Cannibal in comparison to the previous three albums he didn't work on. Actually, Fukuda did handle some of the programming duties on the last album, Start a War, but he was not an official member of the band.

The second great improvement is Wayne Static reviving his gritty, raw vocals. As the years have passed by, the hair spray fanatic has used his vocals differently. On Cannibal we see a return of his old self, viciously spitting out lyrics.

Cannibal's track listing is as heavy as ever, if not the heaviest it has ever been. From start ("Cannibal") to finish ("Team Hate"), Static-X is in your face, firing on all cylinders. One characteristic not typically heard of is the emergence of guitar solos, which is both a breath of fresh air and bewilderment. Some of the solos are a nice addendum, and others seem unnecessary, taking away from the simple structure fans have known and loved. With or without solos, Cannibal is precisely what the doctor ordered: thirty-seven minutes of evil disco.

I was there when stat made its grand entrance with Wisconsin Death Trip, An impressive ground breaking CD that put a great band on the map. Now does that mean i wanna hear that cd over and over again.... No. A bands progression musically should be different from album to album, this bands progression for me was disappointing but still decent. Machine was good, Shadow Zone i personally felt was a little to sell outish, but had some decent tracks, Start a War was an effort to make up for Shadow Zone, Unfortunately still not quite hitting the button, but overall a good cd. Now here we are to Cannibal, wow, just when i thought that Static - X might be done, they deliver one of the best albums of the year. With the intensity of Death Trip, The Structure of Machine, and the creativity of Shadow Zone, and Start a War, This is by far the best album they have ever produced. Heavy, Catchy, even the solos are a welcome addition, I applaud this band for making an awesome, awesome CD!!!

Happy to see Static-X got back on the harder side. I absolutely love all their albums, but Wisconsin Death Trip and Cannibal are my favorites. Lower guitar tunings (like on start a war) and now some crazy solos and good whammy pedal use that most guitarists always f-up. Dime owned on a whammy pedal as well. Easy 5 stars on this one, keep it up guys!