Ultra Siberian Pant Factory, The: OmniumgatheruM

Although the album OmniumgatheruM was released under the band title The Ultra Siberian Pant Factory, the Houston band now go by the slightly less ridiculous, if not as fun name of The Pant Factory. In effect this decision is a good piece of advice for the band and their sound. Complication doesn't always equal quality.

The band themselves describe their music as "math metal", however what that means is that all the songs have the obligatory slow section, followed by a fast section, then depending on the song either a frenetic instrumental, or a laid back jazzy interlude. Now as Tool, the creators of all things math metal will tell you, that is actually a blue print that can be brutally, yet subtly effective. The main issues here though are that the different passages of music within the songs barely ever flow into each other, rather they are disjointed, leaving the impression that they have been written separately and melded together.

Secondly is the vocals, Ben Cunningham gives a heartfelt, emotional performance, however more often than not he sounds flat and out of place. Where a master of the art such as Maynard James Keenan, of the afore mentioned Tool, ranges from threateningly quiet to an emotional full force wail, Cunningham too often resorts to screaming and growling and no amount of echo on his voice can disguise the fact that at times the vocal gives nothing to the music.

OmniumgatheruM is, as so many are these days, a self written, recorded, mixed and produced effort and also as so many albums do, suffers from the lack of a dispassionate ear to streamline and hone the music. There is no doubting the musical prowess of Gus Alvarado, Jack Gordon or George Heathco on drums, bass and guitar respectively, it's just that sometimes the music they have presented is not engaging enough, instead it is cold and sterile.

When everything comes together as it does on instrumental "Aviators and Afterburners", The Ultra Siberian Pant Factory put a blistering riff with rattling drum fills and rumbling bass to create a focused uncompromising steam train of a song. It is the least complex number on the album; however the Tool wrestling with early Iron Maiden vibe is damn effective.

More of the same would undoubtedly make OmniumgatheruM a less daunting listen.

Throughout the album there are glimpses of the potential that is unquestionably buried underneath the aural barrage. The rhythmic work out on the title track deserves a more focused riff; the dark brooding guitar on "Eliding Minds" is mesmerising, but all too short.

With a more commanding vocalist and a more focused approach there is enough on show here to suggest that The Pant Factory may well be worth keeping an eye on in the future, however there is much work to be done.

Track list:
1. Apocalyptic Visions of a Euphoric Utopia
2. Eliding Minds
3. The Whale Song
4. Rejuvenation of Life
5. MediaDemockeracy
6. Aviators and Afterburners
7. OmniumgatheruM

Added: August 25th 2009
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2229
Language: english

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