The Feeding www.headcharge.com

Review by O.M.O.M. 

When is a sophomore release not a sophomore release?  

A second release can at times be a make or break proposition for a band, after spending what can be years honing songs for a first release the pressure is on for a follow up.  Bands succeed (System of a Down) while others take a fall (remember Hootie and the Blowfish?)  But is there a statue of limitations or guidelines governing the “sophomore curse”? 

If any band raises that question it’s American Head Charge, who released their debut cd The War of Art in 2001.  Four years, a rumored rehab stint, new record label and three new members later, AHC returns with The Feeding.  The first time around AHC had more in common musically with other nu-metal upstarts such as Mudvayne and Slipknot.  While The Feeding still has sonic moments that match their cohorts, AHC takes steps to distance itself and establish their own identity. 

The Feeding hops out of the gate with guitars, drums and keyboards blazing.  “Where is your loyalty now?” intones the opener “Loyalty”.  Be it anger at past record label suits or others that have wronged them, vocalist Cameron Headcock sings and spits out aggression simultaneously.  Dipping from the well of Nine Inch Nails and Faith No More songs like “Dirty” and “Ridicule” combine straight ahead metal, industrial and art rock with impressive results. 

Where I found The War of Art to sonically run together after six or seven tracks, The Feeding feels more relaxed and the band surer of themselves.  Tracks “Take What I’ve Taken” and “Walk Away” have a vibe that is both heavy and moody.  Not a clunker to be found on this disc, it seems that the time off between releases has done AHC well.  It’s hard to call this a sophomore release with the time off and member changes, it’s more of a reinventing than a follow up.  Fans of nu-metal, art metal and traditional metal, belly up to bar and begin The Feeding. 

Score: 85/100