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by eric wilson (subliminalmsgr) / pat (xghstst0riesx) - Sep 15, 2003
Minus - Halldor Laxness Review #1 - Eric Wilson Halldór Laxness is the third release from the post-metalcore (haha) band, Mínus. Hailing from Iceland, Mínus consists of Krummi, Frosti, Bjarni, Bjössi, and Ţröstur. Now on Victory Records, Mínus has just about abandoned all screaming, yelling, and growling on this third full-length album. Harmonized vocals could be good, but these don't seem to fit right. Additionally, their change is quite drastic, it might be better with partially growled and partially sung lyrics. Speaking of which, the lyrics on Halldör Laxness can be quite entertaining, especially considering the abundance of rhyme. For example (from "my name is cocaine"): my name is cocaine, call me coke for short. i entered this country without a passport. And some of the lyrics just don't make any sense (from "the long face"): shared only some of it, give away most of it. when I feel this way therefore I am. it doesn't help arguing about it because that is a lower form of intimacy. Frankly, the lyrics would probably be better in Icelandic, or even Hopelandic. The vocals as a whole are too frivolous for the type of music they play. Besides that, this is a decent album; it's fast and dynamic metal. Strange sound effects are thrown in more or less haphazardly. Reverse cymbals, sirens, and saxophone all make an appearance, as well as a sound straight off of TOOL's ĆNIMA and some Korny sound effects. These help give Halldör Laxness much needed spice and variety. Track 12, a noisy divergence from the fast metal, is a highlight of the album because it has a different (and female) singer. Mínus' website (www.thenoisyboys.net) provides several mp3's from their previous albums. These songs are more intense and the vocals are preferable to those on Halldör Laxness. Although Halldör Laxness's diverse and dynamic music sets it apart from traditional metalcore, a return to more distressing vocals would be a definite plus for the next Mínus album. Review #2 - Pat Marchwiak Minus plays garagey rock and roll with a metallic hardcore influence. Most of the record seems to be a balance between a heavy hardcore side and a catchy rock sound. The guitar work ranges from sharp, biting riffs to spacey effects laden passages. Feedback and reverb is used liberally and the sound is definitely accented by the thick production. Minus used to play full out metalcore and they are not afraid to show this. They have grown past that and because of this, their sound has expanded to something quite original. "Boys of Winter" opens up the record with a metallic riff and echoing vocals and halfway through erupts into an offtime metal part complete with screams before returning to a punk beat for a rousing finish. "The Long Face" employs horns which work surprisingly well. And the final track "Last Leaf Upon the Tree" is a slow dirge that features hauntingly pretty female vocals. Upon first listens, a lot of the tracks sound similar. But various other attempts like those mentioned to liven up their sound work to make the disc memorable on subsequent listens. The lyrics are strong, but some of them are a bit awkward with one song being particularly guilty ("My Name is Cocaine"). Halldor Laxness is a change of pace when almost every hardcore record is either cookie cutter metalcore or adheres to the ever popular sing-scream formula. It's not groundbreaking, but it's way better than most hardcore these days; it's original and definitely memorable. |