Conglomeratorz: Naturally Heavy

Conglomeratorz inaugural album Naturally Heavy is a solid first effort by this progressive thrash/death metal band from Chicago, Illinois. The album at times reminds me of the heavy progressive style of Between the Buried and Me, but with a vocal styling that is more of a cross between Slayer

and Morbid Angel. The album opens up with a now traditional instrumental track that lasts just over one minute. However, unlike the tradition, the album has three other instrumentals on the album that based on their titles (Illusion I, II, III, and IV) all go together. The second track titled, "Cryogenic Crowd Control," shows off their musical talents. Staying consistent within the progressive sound are some technical riffs, time stops and changes. The singer BSO brings a verbal assault, (who also is the bass player, and shares keys duties with the guitarist, Mike), but it is not at the same talent level that the band is instrumentally. This is not to say he is bad. Many will probably enjoy his style, but vocally, it is often repetitive. For example, the songs are often sung in a similar way, with a heavy emphasis put on the first syllable of each word. This adds to the heaviness of the sound, but after a while it can become tiresome. One thing that Conglomeratorz was able to do was to have some memorable riffs, which is some thing that many progressive extreme metal bands fail at. Yet, at times the songs feel too similar, as if you had just heard it a few minutes ago.

There is plenty to enjoy with this album, for both progressive metal, and extreme metal fans, such as each of the "Illusion" song's instrumentals, the piano opening in "Anti Grass Theory," the heavy riffs, the growl-sung vocals, and the shredding in songs such as "Antidote to Absurdity," and "Pregulated Oxygenated Growth," the latter of which is possibly the best song on the album.

Track Listing
1) Illusion I
2) Cryogenic Crowd Control
3) Deception At Sea
4) Antidote To Absurdity
5) Anti Grass Theory
6) Illusion II
7) Genome Altered Colonies
8) No Directional Force
9) Ancient Lunar Oasis
10) Illusion III
11) Skill And Determination
12) Replacement Parts Available
13) Pregulated Oxygenated Growth
14) Illusion IV

Added: August 30th 2006
Reviewer: Scott Borre
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2554
Language: english

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