Customer Reviews

Elements of Anger

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

 

 

Yes, that's right, Sadus is real thrash, alive and well. There is a bit of the "Bay Area" sound of early Metallica and Exodus, but more of a Slayer/Testament sound, as well. The riffs are a lot heavier than one might think. Steve, the bass player, is easily one of the best. He's loud, fast and precise. Don't sit there moping around waiting for Metallica to put out another "heavy" album, go get this.

Swallowed in Black and A Vision of Misery were definitely thier best. They took time off befor releasing this one and it lacks the intensitiy and raw power of the first two. Its stil good but once youve heard Vision its just not the same.

It was odd to see anything from this band in '98 mainly because one main member Steve DiGiorgio had found such a lucrative career elsewhere, playing for Death and other outfits. At least some record companies got over Seattle-itis. Thrash metal had definitely run it's course about six years before. Death metal had run it's course two or three years before -I doubt anyone realized it as "Random Cookie Monster outfit #353" took the stage.

Sadus returns in '98 as a three piece outfit, basically the entire former band minus Rob Moore. Steve DiGiorgio doubles up on keyboards-synths as well as playing his fretless bass (now who else does that in metal?) As is to be expected, the bass lines rule because DiGiorgio is the man on bass.

The general feel of the album is a Hawkwind/Space-Rock meets the Thrash/Death hybrid that was formerly Sadus. The songs have class. The synths bring another element into the music. The songs have more structure than in previous albums with many more changing parts. Darren Travis' vocals still have a little of the shriek in them, but otherwise sound far more tame than on "Swallowed in Black" and "Vision of Misery". Travis also showcases much more talent on his guitar than he did on previous albums. (Was he holding back?) John Allen's drumming is as cool as ever, going between the thrashing and fine technique required for the quieter parts and fills. Mostly mid-tempo numbers here but there are one or two speedier songs.

All three members talents really come together on the song "Unreality". Just listen to that song and you realize you have the hardest yet most mature band from Antioch CA. Looking for something intelligent yet still hard...this is it.

Sadus has been around for a long time, but for some reason, they have not made lots of records. But, when they do make one - watch out. From their earliest music (Chemical..) you knew they were on to something, they were unique. Time has proven this to be more than accurate, as this record amply demonstrates. These men are very capable musicians and writers. On this cd, they have slowed down a bit overall, and added more keyboard-augmented interludes, which really take their music to a whole other level of class and sophistication, without losing their edge at all. The vocals are still very angry-sounding, but now there is a whispered part here and there. And, of course, Steve DiGiorgio's fretless bass playing is top-notch. He doesn't always double the guitar, he has a lot more to say than that - his sound and creativity on the instrument is another element that sets Sadus apart from the pack. In short, a great Speed/Death/Thrash band showing us another side of their musical world. I am anxiously awaiting their next one.