Artist: Foreign Objects
Album: "Universal Culture Shock/Undiscovered Numbers & Colors"
Format: Double Album
Release Date: October 31st, 2004
Label: Distant Recordings
Genre: Experimental/Technical Metal
Country: USA
Reviewers Note:
For fans of cKy, this album is a must have right off the bat due to the two core (And only) members are Deron Miller & Jess Margera of cKy. Foreign Objects was started by the two years before cKy. But for the fans of heavy, technical metal, don't let that cloud your judgment, Foreign Objects in no way resembles cKy's style or sound. This is total Technical Experimental Metal and should not be prematurely judged by the two members' later band.
Disc 1: "Universal Culture Shock"
Track 1) "Test It Out"
Starting right off the bat this track sounds something strongly reminiscent of notable technical experimental band Atheist and vocals that are reminiscent of Carcass. A very fitting way to give you an idea of what your in store for. Solid technical ryffs, good crisp Carcass like vocals, good solo, solid drumming, what more could you ask for from an opening track?
Track 2) "Universal Culture Shock"
Here we're hit right out the gate with a much heavier sound and off-timing which metal heads have come to love over the years. What comes next is a very rhythmic and refreshing to hear from metal bands of today. Strong Death (the band) and Carcass sounds here but also something totally the bands own at the same time. Great great instrumental track right here. Both men prove here that THIS sound is their true form and calling.
Track 3) "Genesis 12A"
These cKy boys are here to impress, thats for sure. Again, the guitar playing and drumming is in top form, as well as great sounding vocals and solo's, for this genre, Foreign Objects are a standout.
Track 4) "They Come In Peace"
There is something in the playing style that i can't help but feeling that there is some fort of strong 70's feel in the opening ryffs. It's very soothing. These instrumental pieces are great additions to the album and are most the time leaps better than that tracks with lyrics. The ryffs and arrangements just work extremely well.
Track 5) "Chemical Control"
Very solid track right away. great playing. great heaviness. Possibly the best the vocals have sounded yet on the record. Everything about this tracks screams greatness.
Track 6) "Puzzled"
Not much to say here really other than another solid instrumental track with some great heavy ryffs.
Track 7) "Disengage The Simulator"
Nice little drum opening here, most notable part of the track here, for me atleast, that goes straight into the main verse. This song can also be found on a cKy release (also called "Disengage The Simulator" which features a still of 'Angela' from the slasher classic "Sleepaway Camp" on the cover). Sadly this is not one of the better tracks on the album, but still worth a listen.
Track 8) "Cosmic Consciousness"
Yet another instrumental and from the beginning you can hear the melodic death metal coming through here which actually turns into a pretty flat out 80's sounding track. Pretty interesting to hear and really lets you know that this band has done their homework and really knows how to play pretty much anything they want and play it extremely well.
Track 9) "Planetary"
"Planetary" actually starts off sounding like something from the cKy band, until the vocals kick in that is. Then it's right back into their standard experimental sound. The blend actually works pretty well here. interesting track to say the least as it sound like a blend between cKy, Death & Mastodon.
Track 10) "Victory Over Neptune"
Another nice little drum opening that leads into a VERY much cKy sounding tracks. This is i guess "The Soft Song" of the album as pretty much every metal album has one these days. Very reminiscent instrumental band Pelican here. Soothing yet dark, perhaps this should have been the album closer. Would have been a very solid closer. Still a very solid track. One of the standouts here. Just another case of the boys displaying their excellent playing skills.
Track 11) "Big Boy" (Sparks cover)
To be honest, i've never heard of the band Sparks, but i'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Foreign Objects did a pretty decent cover here.
Disc 2: "Undiscovered Numbers & Colors"
Track 1) "The Undiscovered Numbers & Colors"
Foreign Objects kicks off their debut in a very positive way. Enough to impress any fan of the technical metal genre. One the better tracks on their "Undiscovered Numbers & Colors" album. Again, leaves you wondering why the two didn't make this band their main objective instead of cKy.
Track 2) "Far Cry Behind"
Interesting mixture here. Reminds me of a Opeth mixed with Death. Not one of their most impressive tracks but still a solid offering.
Track 3) "The Other Side Of The End Of The Universe"
Another interesting twist here. "The Other Side Of The End Of The Universe" sounds like it was recorded by an 80's band. Not that there's a problem with that, it fits on the record, there's just something that feels odd about it being here. Specially following "Far Cry Behind".
Track 4) "Delve"
Now this is very much out of no where. A little just over a minute piano instrumental. Although it does show again that these two are talented in multiple genres, it just doesn't feel like it should be here.
Track 5) "Destination Undefined"
"Destination Undefined" starts off immediately as the heaviest track on the "The Undiscovered Numbers & Colors" EP. This is a pretty nice note to end the EP. Heavy, melodic, great drum beat, technical ryffs, great way to close out this EP & the two disc set.
Overall:
Foreign Objects displays that they are one of the better, and unfortunately unknown, bands in the technical/experimental/melodic death metal genre and hopefully they return someday to deliver another great album. The cKy boys definitely surprise us here, a welcome surprise, and show us that they are much more talented than they show in their later band. Two awesome albums = One Great Double Album.
Rating:
8.8/10
Standout Tracks:
"Universal Culture Shock", "They Come In Peace", "Victory Over Neptune", "The Undiscovered Numbers & Colors" & "Destination Undefined"
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