James Murphy – “Convergence”
James Murphy, (of DEATH, OBITUARY, CANCER, DISINCARNATE, and currently TESTAMENT ) demonstrates that this release is not just some solo semi-serious project that he is doing, because he wants to show how good of a player he is. The first song “Since Forgotten” has Devin Townsend from STRAPPING YOUNG LAD guesting on vocals. This track is a song not just a guitar solo. Actually, it is unexpected that James would not use this too show off. (Actually, I think this sucks! If you like his past stuff, in my opinion you will not like this.- Mike) “Since Forgotten” is not thrash or death metal, rather a heavy affair with a really tight sound. Then comes “Convergence”, which has a very catchy rhythm. This track is an instrumental which is very thrashy and “Chunky”. Devin also sings on the last one, which is once again a mid-paced, melodic, but also heavy affair. By the time the third song ends, you realize what James is trying to do, (suck really bad?) expanding and experimenting, but without sticking to fashionable ideas of “experimenting” (grunge) and without being in-metal. Now don’t get confused, this is different from anything I’ve heard Mr. Murphy, but he’s firmly in metal territory. Also, you get plenty of chances to hear his guitar solos, etc., but these are songs, not just guitar solos. In addition, Deen Castronovo, drums, keeps a great bottom heaviness to this affair by keeping different rhythms with appropriate double-bass for all of the moods, riffs, etc.. Brad Russel, bass, is heard through out the whole affair, instead of of being just a simple two-chord-second- fiddle yeoman. Chuck Billy, guests on “Torching the Earth” which shows Chucky boy doing some great melodic stuff that is unlike anything on “Low”. This is probably the best song here because James really shines on this one and because you find heaviness and melody striking the perfect balance. See if you can find many people who can do this stuff as well as this here!!