Artist: Element
Title: Corruption Desires
Type: Album
Label: Casket/Copro Productions

It is said that first impressions last a lifetime. Well, with the first time I played the preview copy of Element’s ‘Corruption Desire’ I only got as far as listening to the first track, ‘The Art of Illusion’, and switched off my player, preparing the five word review, “System Of A Down Wannabees”. After a few days I returned, and actually listened to the whole album, and I must apologise for my initial dismissive thoughts. Okay, the first track, from its kick drum heavy opening, guitar squeal riffs, and staccato vocals does sound like a lukewarm ‘Chop Suey’, but it is in many ways a poor indication of the abilities of the band.

Jump past the album opener and into the thrash territory of ‘Corrupted’ and suddenly the nu metal leanings are punched out of the mix by a wall of aggressive complex riffs, angry barked lyrics, and pounding drums, stretched to seven minutes plus by stamping breakdowns, positively challenging a pit to prove their metal! Track three, ‘Solace’ manages to combine a positively radio friendly Staind opening with a touch of Soundgarden anger and echo, showing off the influences of the band, and blasting out of the speakers with melancholy vocals and pained solos. ‘Revolution Denied’ continues to build on this theme, combining agonised vocals with crushing riffs, the band not being afraid to drag the album into the realms of the shoe gazing melancholic.

Whilst there is much to commend in this album, there are a couple of things that really jarred. Firstly was the engineering; all too often the sound of the music was dampened, no matter how I tweaked with the balance on assorted players, it just sounded like I was listening to the band by sitting next to somebody on the bus playing the album through leaky speakers. Secondly, too many tracks were allowed to wander. The four minute punky punch of ‘Dissipate’ with its cutting riffs and spiky solo shows what the band is capable of, whilst the wandering themes of ‘Urban Assault’ just dissipated any attack (sorry for the unintentional pun) the band intended. ‘Contemporary Insanity’ never seems to pick up beyond the first few chords whilst ‘Prophet of Hate’ just drags like a self indulgent Metallica cast off.

There are many good features of this release; the guitars are skilful, the rhythms hard, and the vocals spite filled. What the band really needs, in my humble opinion, is a direction for all their ability, and a producer to aim their skills in the right direction.

http://www.myspace.com/elementsound

Spenny Bullen

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