Customer Reviews

Freaks Of Nature

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not a big heavy metal fan but there are a few metal bands that I do enjoy listening to like Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, and Drain STH. Sadly enough Drain STH is no longer together today. They were one of the heaviest hard rock bands I have ever heard. I thought Drain STH was one of those hidden gems that was never discovered. Flavia Canel is one of the most ferocious guitar players I have ever heard in the realm of hard rock. Anna K. and Martina Axen was probably one of my personal favorite rhythm section. And Maria Sjoholm definitely could let loose like the big boys. Gender has nothing to do with how well one plays his or her instrument and these ladies proves that theory. The songs on "Freak of Nature" all intense and heavy yet melodic enough. My favorite songs on this cd? That is hard to pick but I do especially enjoy the first four tracks on the cd. It saddens me that Drain STH is no longer making music for fans to enjoy but at least they left the world of hard rock two albums tto salivate over.

The ladies in Drain sth have arrived and should be taken very seriously. Their excellent debut "Horror Wrestling" can't hold a candle to their sophomore effort "Freaks of Nature". Put aside all pre-conceived notions about female rock bands and check this CD out. While there are no bad songs on here, a few definitely stand out. The driving opener "Enter My Mind" gets things going. "Alive" has a haunting chorus that you just can't seem to get out of your head. The true masterpiece though is "Simon Says" with its bludgeoning riffs. The CD lags slightly towards the end, but overall, this is a must CD for any serious fan of Heavy music. Drain sth have established themselves as one of today's premier bands.

In a word, Drain STH is just perfect. This original, hard-hitting, arising band (inside message...heh heh...)combines trance with metal, and occasionaly rap, in a way you'll just never forget. I now give you the discography for this essential recording with reviews for each track:

1. Enter My Mind - An excellent opening song. I like the way this track begins, and transforms from trance(kinda) to metal. (4/5)

2. Alive - Although nothing's too original in this song, what can I say, I still liked it.

3. Simon Says - YES! Arguably, the best track on this CD. The blend of DSTH's metal and Herbie Crichlow's rap is utter perfection. (8/5)

4. I Wish... - This and Right Through You are the sweetest, most heartfelt tracks on the album. The acoustic guitar (which isn't actually played by DSTH) is nothing short of touching, as with the rest of the song. (5/5)

5. Black - The way this song switches from one style of music to another very different, which DSTH have perfected, is very cool. Despite somewhat shallow lyrics (chorus - "...Black is black, 4x")this track still lives up to DSTH potential. (4/5)

6. Crave - Although this track isn't as deep as the others on this album, this is kind of what makes it kick. Quite awesome. (4/5)

7. The Bubble Song - Not a bad song, just not the kind that would turn you on to a band. Definately not single-worthy. (3/5)

8. Right Through You - DEVASTATINGLY powerful. The chorus almost brought me to tears, and I listen to SlipKnot and Marilyn Manson. Godlike, enough said. (5/5)

9. Leech - A couple cool parts in this song, overall a decent track. Again, this track sports the "transition" effect that DSTH have so perfectly coined.

10. Get Inside - This is an extremely underrated track. From the beginning drum kick to the end riffs, this track is the kind of song that makes you get up and bang your head like you have tourette's syndrome. (No offense, or anything like that.) (5/5)

11. I Will Follow - A good closing song. Starts out slow and heavy, and...kind of stays that way. (3/5)

OVERALL: 5/5

Thanks, and remember, kids: Never underestimate the power of a sick mind.

This CD is a mix of textures that will appeal to many followers of post-80s metal, and also those of us who love LOUD melodic rock. (There is a definite Alice in Chains/newer Metallica influence here... but somehow, it works for this band.)

The standout here is the vocals. If the late Layne Staley had been a Swedish woman, he'd be Maria Sjoholm. She seems very calm through most of the songs but that fits them-- it proves that you don't have to screech like a scalded bobcat to be Metal. The most unique vocal effect is the filtered, thinned intro section on "Leech".

Flavia Canel's background guitars are the typical blurry "wall of sound" that works so well with bands like Soundgarden and Disturbed; even KISS borrowed it for Carnival of Souls. The songs here use that very well. My only gripe is that only two songs--"Enter My Mind" and "Get Inside"-- really breaks that feeling.

Martina Axen (drummer) and Anna Kjellberg (bassist) hold down the deep, dark, heavy end of things. Best example is "Enter My Mind", where they lay down a stomp that would scare Godzilla, and "Alive" (the fastest song in the bunch) steps up the beat without sacrificing any of the heaviness.

There are also some eelectronic backbeats and rhythm enhancements throughout the whole CD that contribute more atmospheric weirdness.

The weirdest song on the whole CD is "Simon Says". Melodically almost perfect, some sections add a different filter to Maria's mostly very smooth vocals; but surprisingly, the male rap vocal running throughout the song enhances it rather than taking anything away.

End result is a very good 4.5-star album that doesn't pound you into the ground but might give you headbangers' headache.

I stumbled upon this CD almost accidentally. It turned out to be one of the best CDs I have ever listened to. Drain s.t.h. is an awesome band. Maria's lead vocals are infectious and Flavia, Martina, and Anna back her up with hard core instrumentals. This group will prove to anyone, without a doubt, that females do know how to rock. I highly reccommend it!

cool. They had nothing to say but kind words when they were heckled by a few who thought women could'nt rock at Ozz Fest: And this is before the people had heard them play! (One guy admitted that..) Tight, polished,beautiful women that spit on the notion that women are'nt polished and beautiful creatures who can attAin power.

Sure, this album rocks; it's got big melodies with guitar licks strong enough to grab the attention of anyone who grooves on hard rock. But it's more than that. This is one overpoweringly emotional album. The vocals are so beautiful and so tormented that they all but bleed out of your speakers. A hell of a lot of all-male hard rock bands could learn a thing or two about making memorable songs by listening to Drain sth.

This album is stunningly great! They combine Black Sabbath-like music with some power-pop songs that are native to their homeland. Their vocals sneer and definitely get you into the spirit of what they are doing. This album is especially welcome due to the lack of pure metal music recently. Buy them instead of KoRn, Limp Bizcit, and Kid Rock.

After a two year wait for Drain S.T.H's follow up to their remarkable debut, "Horror Wrestling", many feared they would fall victim to having a lousy second effort. However, "Freaks of Nature" proves the cynics wrong. With this album, you have what the first one lacked: production. Though there was nothing wrong with how "Horror Wrestling" was put together, "Freaks of Nature" has a stronger sense unity. The sounds seem to mesh better on here than on their previous effort. Drain S.T.H. sounds more like one band now, instead of a few individual women hammering away on guitars. Another thing different soundwise on "Freaks of Nature" is the use of electronic blips and bleeps in the background. The ability for Drain S.T.H. to experiment with new sounds, while still staying hard and sticking to their roots is incredible. In terms of song quality, Drain S.T.H. has kept that one of their most dignifying talents. The songs on "Freaks of Nature" are still rather dark, as was the case on "Horror Wrestling". But on this album, the ladies from Sweden have tinted their songs with specks of light here and there, making for a degree of light and dark in their songs. Again, adding to the experimentation of "Freaks of Nature",they even throw in a little rap on "Simon Say". By far the best songs on this album are "Simon Says", ( first and foremost )"Enter My Mind", "The Bubble Song",and "Leech". Now, having said that Drain S.T.H. has passed the test of a sophomore success, you'd be a fool not to get this album.

Four girls from Sweden that not only could have been Playboy playmates but created also great Metal with influences such as Black Sabbath and (undeniable) Alice In Chains, so heavy so powerfull , real "Girl Power", 3 precious blondes and 1 gorgeous brunnete, (latin by the way) sound more heavy than other male bands, what a shame for us uh!, lyrics are also intense , passionate and dark, guitars are awesome, a must have if you like rebel and beautifull girls
HM