Horse the band - Website

Look What I Did - Website

Review by O.M.O.M. 

Time to lock and load soldiers, Combat Records has been called back up to active duty by the front brass at KOCH Records.  Previous officers from the 80’s Combat campaigns such as Megadeth, Exodus and Venom will not be returning to the front.  The war directors have decided to go with green recruits and it will be our job to put them through their paces and see if they are ready for active duty. 

At All Cost – It’s Time To Decide 

First up is Austin, Texas natives At All Cost.  These lads have all the equipment necessary to make a quick strike on the metalcore scene.  Big riffs, politically charged lyrics and the standard screaming vocals pepper It’s Time To Decide.  At times the stock issue vocals could be a detriment; the first half of the disc sounds too close to acts like The Black Dahlia Murder or Killswitch Engage.  The second half of the disc finds the band expanding and taking chances with tracks like “Fabricated” and the rhythmic interludes “Noches Desesperadas” and “It Burns Black.” 

Outlook: At All Cost stumble at first by sticking within established boundaries. Things begin to get interesting when they mix in influences outside the metal/hardcore genres.  Bits of electronica-esque vocals and laid-back instrumentals keep things fresh and establish an identity. 

Grade: With a bit more training At All Cost will make fine front line troops. 69/100  

Horse the band – THEMECHANICALHAND 

When my editor first described Horse the band to us, “Think old school Nintendo music meets metalcore,” I was ready to stick them on KP duty before they even hit the obstacle course.  Surprisingly the mix of Devo/techno/synth/metalcore works quite well.  “Birdo” kicks things off with a pulsating guitar riff that is furiously chased by some inventive 8-bit video game keyboard jamming.  Remember that spastic kid in junior high that would draw Mega Man on all his notebooks and jabber incessantly about “secret levels” and “power-ups?”  If you gave him a guitar, some ecstasy and a recording studio it probably would have sounded something like Horse the band.  And that’s a good thing; tunes like “Octopus On Fire”, the Dream Theater meets The Legend Of Zelda grandiosity of “The Black Hole” and the breakneck “Taken By Vultures” have tongue planted firmly in cheek yet will have you banging your head in delight. 

Outlook: Not for everyone, but if you like your metal with an experimental edge, grab hold of THEMECHANICAL HAND and don’t let go. 

Grade: Fit for submarine duty. 74/100

Look What I Did – Minute Man For The Moment 

Unlike most military operations the brass at Combat encourage individuality and it shows with Look What I Did’s Minute Man For The Moment.  Not your average metal/grind/hardcore by any stretch of the imagination.  First off are the vocals; not satisfied with screaming across the entire disc, Look What I Did feature actual melodies and, surprise of surprises, harmonies spread amongst the chaos of spiraling and pounding guitar riffs.  Think Mr. Bungle picking up the Melvins for a midnight egging of the Beach Boys and you’ll get an idea of Minute Man For The Moment.  Highlights include the pounding “Raining Pleasantries” and the expansive “Benevolesaurus Lex.” 

Outlook: Minute Man For The Moment is an impressive mixture of genre crossing attitude, wit and mayhem.  Probably the strongest of the 3 debut releases from the Combat label.  Fans of bands from Dead Kennedys to Faith No More and Fishbone should jump right on this one. 

Grade: Tank division. 76/100