Great Southern Trendkill - Pantera > Reviews > Heaviness is not a trend

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Heavy as Hell moments contrast with the melodic ones
Disadvantages:	Too heavy for some, extreme in places

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

having been forewarned that this was the heavier end of the musical spectrum flowing from Pantera, i was vaguely apprehensive before my first listening of "The Great Southern Trendkill". I had been amazed by all their albums subsequent to "Cowboys from Hell" up to this one, having been unfortunately swung between dance, indie and nu-metal before i discovered the band. The album begins with the title track, a demonic, derranged thrashfest that thankfully dissolves in to a more accesible southern-style guitar solo around the 2 minuite mark. This sets the scene for the rest of the album; angry, possesed rock with perscision guitars and screaming complemented by power metal solos and occasional forays into what might even be called tuneful territory. Track 2, "War Nerve" is driven by a classic Pantera riff, but is less intense and more measured than its predecessor. It's still heavier than their pre-cowboys work though, and contributes enough hoary anguish to power a lesser bands entire album (i.e. fellow texans Drowning Pool). "Drag the Waters" is another intelligent political tirade from Phil Anselmo. It's guitar is rousing and drums incessant and intense. Following the initial 3 tracks of insane death metal expected from the band, the band slow the pace for a slower song, "10s". This may be my favourite song on the album; its contrasting light/heavy moments are amazing to listen to, it is a good old fashioned thrash ballad like "The Sleep" or maybe "Cemetery Gates". "13 Steps to Nowhere" can't match it; but it tries to, as the pace is cranked up again. This song is more groove based than those before it. Suicide note part 1 is complete contrast again. its slow, calm, expansive nature is far different to your expectations from the band, but it's a pleasant change, and well executed too. the second part is extreme, clinically insane and well, poor. It isn't really up to the standard of the rest of their album, neither is the following track. "Floods" puts them back on track, but is unnecesearilly long, "Underground..." has a great riff and intense vocals, but the closing track sucks. In all, its a good album, but not as good as other pantera offerings.