Hypocrisy – “Virus”
Forrest Gump’s mama says that Hypocrisy is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. This band keeps changing from album to album. The only thing you are sure to expect is that it is some form of growl, down-tuned, metal. OK, so let’s see the box: “Warpath” opens in a blasting black-metal manner. It hits instantly; vocals, blast beats, riffing, all good. “Scrutinized” is fast paced, but not blasting; heavy, pounding, groovy and melodic. So far, so good: “Fearless” is even more melodic and simpler. The growling is sounding good and the guitars are harmonizing. It’s a catchy, make-you-feel better song, still down-tuned, though. “Craving for Another Killing” is a total Immortal, black-metal worship. Of course, the drummer is Horgh (real name: Bobby Earl Wacklespoodle). He even does the total Immortal fills. “Let the Knife Do the Talking” is a slow, chugging track. I don’t care for it because it’s pretty basic with nothing to make your ears stand up. “A Thousand Lies” is a growled, melodic death ballad. Not bad, I guess, but it just doesn’t rock. “Incised before I’ve Ceased” is a much better song: mid paced, but the drumming has more going on, more action, the riffing is creative. It even has a brief neo-classical part. The vocal lines sound good. “Blooddrenched” is faster, brutal gruff number that seeks to bring back the energy of the first two songs. The band doesn’t sound as committed on this one. I suspect that this is filler material. “Compulsive Psychosis” is mid-paced, but I’m not totally convinced that this is not filler material, as well. The soloing on this is slower, more felt and it’s surprisingly good, but the riffing is play-on, chugging stuff. “Living to Die” closes the proceedings. It’s an “epic” (keyboards) sounding, crawling, with a simple melody repeated over and over. It has a spoken, narrated vocal part along with some semi-clean vocals. It’s effective in achieving a somber mood.