World Coming Down

Type O Negative

Roadrunner Records, 1999

http://typeonegative.net

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/29/1999

It takes guts to stick your neck out and do something in a different manner than other people do the same thing. But I've noticed that people who do this are usually the happiest. When I worked at a suburban Chicago high school years ago, I knew one kid who dressed like he rummaged through Salvation Army bins after the circus had left town - but he was one of the most charming people I ever knew in my short time working there.

In that case, Peter Steele and Type O Negative should be incredibly happy. In an era of heavy metal where the key seems to be speed and screaming, Type O Negative take the "Chili's hamburger" approach to their songs: they take their time and put their all into the one song they're working on at the time.

The latest result, World Coming Down, occasionally hangs, but for the most part suggests that this band is doing things right, as it's a great listen - and one that might not even freak out your parents if you walk in with this album.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

There are a few snippets on this disc that you should be aware of. The opening one, "Skip It," might have you thinking that the disc is damaged and skipping like a schoolgirl on a caffiene bender. Relax; nothing's wrong with the disc, as you'll see in a matter of seconds. One other snippet, "Sinus," might send some chills down your spine if you can't stand the sound of people fighting colds. Being a bronchial asthmatic who has problems with my sinuses (especially during allergy season and in wet weather), I never realized how god-damn annoying I sounded hacking and sniffling and clearing my throat... not that I've been able to stop, of course.

As for the music, well, take your pick of favorites. Bassist/vocalist Steele mostly intones his lyrics, though he knows both when to turn on the vocal charm and when it's time to raise the volume and intensity. Tracks like "Everyone I Love Is Dead" and "Pyretta Blaze," themselves great songs, are sealed as winners thanks to Steele's vocal contributions.

But it is the efforts of the whole band - including guitarist Kenny Hickey, keyboardist Josh Silver and drummer Johnny Kelly - that make World Coming Down such an intense, enjoyable listen. When you hear how this band is clicking on tracks like "White Slavery" and "All Hallow's Eve", you can tell that this is a band with a rare chemistry among its members. And, you've gotta admit, it takes some balls to do a medley of Beatles songs framed around "Day Tripper," but Type O Negative pulls it off with incredible success.

If there is any drawback to World Coming Down, it would be that it's not always the easiest disc to follow or to listen to in one sitting. Tracks like "Who Will Save The Sane?", "Creepy Green Light" and the title track all seem to blend together, especially if you're not giving this disc your undivided attention.

If there are still people out there who think that metal - or, more correctly, creative metal - is dead, you may wish to hie them down to the music store and snag a copy of World Coming Down for them. This disc is an eye-opener, and even though it's not the easiest disc to get absorbed in, is a refreshing blast in the metal genre.

Rating: B

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


Comments

 








© 1999 Christopher Thelen and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Roadrunner Records, and is used for informational purposes only.