Customer Reviews

Legend Of The Black Shawarma

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is basically exactly what you would expect from IM if you have followed them for their last few albums. Viscous Delicious was a big step on the way from pure trance to the unique sound that IM has developed. You will recognize, in this CD, several themes introduced in Viscous Delicious CD, but the songs and sounds are evolving and more refined than they were in Viscous Delicious, while still raw and in your face. I am not certain that this CD has quite as much energy as say 'Eat it Raw' and a couple other songs on Viscous Delicious had, but overall, I think I like it better, as there is not a single track on this CD that is boring. Perhaps the best way to state it is that if Viscous Delicious had moments ranging from 6-10, this album is a solid 8-9 all the way through.

Personally, I feel there is plenty of pure trance out there, if that's what I am looking for, but when I am in the mood for IM, there is nothing else like them. I am so glad they decided to continue on the evolutionary path they are on, because there is nobody else doing what they do and I love what they are doing.

The first few listens had me kind of shaking my head, because you never know quite what to expect from these guys. And that's why they're one of the more interesting groups out there. I still can't stand the first track, but this album's otherwise in top rotation for me right now.

Infected Mushroom has gotten progressively more metal (many of the riffs from Vicious Delicious could have been lifted wholesale from Poison), and this album continues and expands on that trend. It's a functional album -- perfect for aggressive situations. It's not some cheesy testosterone-fest though: this music has a twisted sense of glee -- it's not brutal, humorless noise. There's nuance here -- songs get more interesting after ten listens; the opposite effect of most music I hear.

Infected Mushroom has always been the most perfect running music out there, and it's great for the car if you're in a hurry. Not so great for background music at a mixed-company dinner party.

This album has some gems, and I'm delighted to see they're still evolving.

Just a good, original, fresh album. If you are an I.M. fan, then there is no reason in the world why you should not purchase and enjoy this album from front to back, especially if you were a fan of the 2nd Converting Vegetarians CD. While it is a good album, if you are looking for psytrance, you should just hit the 'back' button on your browser. Contrary to popular belief, Infected Mushroom IS NOT psytrance, so do not buy this and expect "The Gathering", because you will be greatly disappointed. The album quality is high, the music is very new and exciting and it deserves the respect that all I.M. albums deserve.

Any Infected Mushroom fan should find something to like in this album. If you are a fan of classical Infected Mushroom, the songs "Herbert the Pervert," "Project 100," "Franks," and "Slowly" will not disappoint. Some of those sound exactly like their songs did years ago. On the other hand, if you enjoy their rock fusion/lyric-containing songs like the sort prevalent in Vicious Delicious, those are present throughout, especially "Smashing the Opponent" and "Killing Time."

Additionally, there was a music track included on the CD that isn't listed here: "Riders on the Storm -- Infected Mushroom Remix." This was a pleasant surprise, considering Amazon made no mention of it on this description page (though I find now that it is one of the mp3s you can purchase if you do it that way.)

Put shortly, this album is another solid addition to any Infected Mushroom fan's collection.

I love this album. Infected mushroom has a distinct style of music and its great seeing it mix with other artists (Jonathan Davis and Perry Farrell). The vocals are increasing and getting better with every new album out. I would have to say my favorite song off this album is Project 100. I am not sure if this is the best album from infected mushroom but it is definitly one to add to the collection.

At this point in Infected Mushroom's existence, you've got to come to grips with the fact that they've dabbled in the art of experimentation with various sounds, and their strict psy-trance days are over. What began in Converting Vegetarians has been fully integrated into their very essence, and the result is all the more intriguing. The Legend of the Black Shawarma is a continuation of this evolution, and is all the richer becasue of it. Their album prior to this one, Vicious Delicious, showed the band taking their hyper beats and combining them with metal and prog rock influences. However, while that album went back and forth with the mixed genres, Shawarma mixes it into every song. The result is that each song is a sonic roller coaster...one moment you're bobbing your head to the hard trance beats before the song unravels into a beautiful melody, then back again. Songs like "Saeed", "Herbert the Pervert" and "The Legend of the Black Shawarma" are especially great at this. The album's two singles, "Smashing The Opponent" with Jonathan Davis and "Killing Time" with Perry Farrell are actually the albums two weakest points. If all you've heard are those two songs, then you're not getting a good representation of the rest of it.

The album's title track closes the album proper with great mastery...then you're treated to this record's greatest surprise in the form of a cover version of The Doors' "Riders on the Storm". This track is simply magnificent, and makes up for just about any shortcoming this record may have. The melodies in this version are unlike anything you've heard from IM before. Bottom line is, if you're a fan of the band, and liked albums after Converting Vegetarians, you'll like this album.

I have to say I'm pretty excited for where Infected Mushroom seems to be headed artistically. While many who've been following this band since their debut album, The Gathering, will be disillusioned with the departure from psy-trance, I believe this is a great direction for the band. Without abandoning their psy-trance roots, they've managed to make the music all the more exciting.

In the beginning of its career, Infected Mushroom focused almost exclusively on creating danceable music in the electronic, psychedelic trance style. Over time they have gradually transformed their music, increasingly incorporating various elements of other musical styles they are interested in, such as rock. Legend of the Black Shawarma really exemplifies their various influences. While Legend of the Black Shawarma is a great compilation of electronic and danceable synthesizer music, the synthesized melodies are also laden with vocals and guitar, reflecting the musicians' interest in rock and metal music. My favorite track off of the new album is "Saeed." It is a really interesting piece with a great blend between electronic computer music, guitar and vocals, and I think "Saeed" really epitomizes the work Infected Mushroom is does in blending trance with other musical forms to create something new.
I really like how "Saeed" starts with a computerized sound made into a rhythm - the sound is reminiscent of a vocal sample that has been processed and then assembled into a rhythm. This rhythm sets the stage for the strong rhythm which joins in around the 25 second mark, and another rhythmic layer that is added in about 40 seconds into the piece. These layers of percussion were actually achieved by tapping on an acoustic guitar and then processing the result. When the vocals initially begin they are so processed that the words cannot be made out - in this section, Infected Mushroom actually cut the syllables of the words and used only selected snippets. It is not until about one minute into the song that the vocals are able to be discerned in what can be considered the chorus of "Saeed." The timbre of the vocals during the chorus contrast nicely with the processed vocals from earlier in the song.
It is during the chorus that Infected Mushroom's incorporation of rock and metal guitar riffs is really noticeable. The timbre of the guitars playing simultaneously with the vocals, the computerized rhythms and drums set make for a really interesting moment in the piece that really stands out and sticks with the listener as "Saeed" goes on. After the first chorus, the piece goes into a long section of trance - the texture of the beats in the section is very dense and really interesting. The guitars can be heard in this section as well, as they are incorporated as one of the layers in this rhythmic texture. My favorite part of the piece begins around 3:20 - the chorus repeats and the vocals are accompanied by a synthesizer and a beat, which then evolves until the vocals are accompanied by a piano and nothing else. This is a really beautiful and dramatic moment in such a high-energy trance piece - the piece also ends in a similar fashion, which I really like because it is so different from the high-energy manner in which the piece began.
I am a fairly new Infected Mushroom fan, and I am really enjoying Legend of the Black Shawarma. What really drew me in was the fact that Infected Mushroom is not a stereotypical psychedelic trance group - they incorporate other musical forms into their music, so there is really something there for everyone. Overall, Legend of the Black Shawarma is a really great album and I would definitely recommend it to anyone, even people who do not usually listen to music of this genre. This was the case for me, and now I am hooked.

such is the consistency and quality of production that we have become accustomed to from IM that this album feels like a let-down despite still being one of the pre-eminent electronic production releases of the year. their lack of genuine innovation this time around is more or less counter-balanced by a typically crisp production and some highly enjoyable moments in this 11 track genre bender. The disturbing and powerful introduction, 'poquito mas,' is certain to resonate with those who dug the finer moments of "vicious delicious" two years ago. the next track, 'saeed,' is probably the best original vocal track on the album and strikes the right balance between their now trademark blend of catchy, distorted guitar hooks and mindbogglingly deviant synth programming.

But the album trails off there and never really recovers. 'End of the road' is a rather pedestrian would-be re-imitation of some of their earlier work, and the foray into popular music with 'smashing the opponent' is not the LA based duo's finest hour either. Jonathan Davis didn't make his name for being an excellent clean vocalist and although he thankfully stays away from his trademark monkey noises here, the result is just average, no more than that. 'Slowly' 'Franks' and 'Can't stop' are underwhelming despite some promising moments. 'Project 100' is probably the most like the IM we know and love, blissfully devoid of vocals and featuring a refreshing variety of instrumentation including but not limited to harp, flamenco and violin. 'herbert the pervert' features a nice acoustic guitar, and 'legend of the black shawarma' blends a dramatic, Beethoven invoking piano segment with chilling vocals. But in each case, the music blossoms into what feels like the same crescendo of distorted guitar and percussion from track to track to the point where you're not sure which song you're listening to after the distinctive bits are over.

The re-interpretation of The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" is a brilliant take on what was already a very good song. If nothing else, that tune is worth your time to download.

Bottom line is, this is a very good album by general electronic music standards, but not really by IM's own ridiculously high standards. It's also the closest they've come to outright pop music, a worrying trend for me. Having said that, it's still highly enjoyable material if you like their previous work. Four stars for a generally worthwhile, yet unspectacular effort.

This album is not quite what you would expect if you haven't listened to I.M. In the past couple years. They have been moving in a new good direction which leaves oldies in the past and treads new ground. I feel that they are treading away from the other bands in the genre, but are still staying within the confines of it if not cracking away slowly to reveal a new genre.

because it had korn person on the song smashing oppoinent I thought it was gonna suck.

I'm not into Korn, or any bands from today like Linkin Park, Slipkont, etc.

But surprisingly this album turned out too be good, good songs on it an beats an lyrics.


I esp. like the last 2 songs the best, remix riders of storm an legand of the black shawarma

I like listening too ALL of the albums the band ever made from the gathering, classical mushroom, bp empire, converating vegatarians, im surpervisor, etc.

I hope in the future they rerelease all their old school songs again on some cd like remake or remix them, like psycho, return of the shadows, bust a move, cities of future, stretched, muse breaks, etc.


I DONT CARE IF THIS BAND IS STARTING TOO BECOME MAIN STREAM, ETC. I LIKE/LISTEN TOO WHATEVER I DAMN PLEASE, RATHER ITS POPULAR OR NOT I DONT GIVE A S***, ha ha


I dont care if some people only like the band because of its 2 albums this one an v.d. album like songs like becoming insane.

I knew that the band existed before it became popular in the USA an these 2 cds were sold in local record stores.

The kind of genre's I like is psychedelic trance, goa trance, rock and jazz music too.

If you find this album disappointed because of obvious reason, main stream.

Then check out yahel, astrix, synsun, void, etc. those are also good psytrance bands too.