 | Tracklist:
1. Reinventing The Noose
2. Haunter
3. Big Timber
4. Given In To The Taking
5. Skinwalkers
6. Curseworship
7. Hooks As Hands
8. Ruin Them
9. Den Of Infamy
10. Unleash Carnage
11. Summon In Thunder
| Ranking: #172 for 2007 | |
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On 17 Lists
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| Summary: Even though now defunct, Himsa can be content to have released their most accomplished album to date, a swan song not only for them, but also for the metalcore genre they were often associated with. |
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
With ‘Summon in Thunder’ Himsa, once again, keeps in front of the common metalcore crowd, with their preference to evolve at their own pace, rather completely switching sounds from record to record to gain the approval of the Myspace auidience, completely shatter the walls between the metal and hardcore genres while injecting this rubble with sheer brutality, giving Himsa the sound of a ferocious, caged animal trying to escape from confinement,
With vocalist John Pettibone’s imposing barks, yells, shrieks and growls giving off this impression, as well as having more authority then most metal or hardcore bands have in their entire discography, leaving audiences wondering how his throat can even summon such thunderous vocals (no pun intended).
However, even with the vocals of this album being the main reference point throughout, instrumentally this band is no slouch either with them fitting in quite well with the feel of the album, as well as stepping up a notch from previous efforts ‘Courting Tradegy And Disaster’ and ‘Hail Horror’
With guitarists Sammi Curr and Kirby Johnson being the standout, having really improved, filling the album with individual riffs and original solos, they bring the metal to the album (just check out solo near the end of ‘Skinwalkers’), instead of the generic drop-C riffs that most current metal bands use in their quest to sound ‘br00tal’.
How about the contributions of bassist Derek Harn? Well as you might expect, it’s basically non-existent (thanks for starting that trend Adam D.) and when heard, either is following the drums or the guitars, but in the context of this album, isn’t the easiest thing to do.
The drumming however is a different story, with it being possible to give the elderly heart attacks and make small children explode. Even though drummer Chad Davis enjoys his double bass, he also enjoys throwing in enough originality with his drumming to give each song his own individual feel and that is enough to be commended.
From the opening of ‘Reinventing the Noose’ to the final moments of the title track, Himsa keep the pedal the metal, with the near-doom ‘Den Of Infamy’ being a welcome diversion and the acoustic opening of ‘Skinwalkers’ being the exceptions.
The smash-and-grab attack of ‘Ruin Them’ is a prime example of this with the drumming, guitarwork and vocals all fitting together to deliver one of the most brutal songs on the album as well as reaffirming Himsa’s status to deliver crazy pit action wherever they perform (not that it needed any reaffirmation though).
Tracks such as ‘Big Timber’ and ‘Unleash Carnage’ are straight-ahead examples of what Himsa is about: metal. Their mixture of metal and hardcore is infectious, with the sheer amount of brutality and lashings of melody throughout makes this album more enjoyable than most 'heavy' albums around these days.
While this album does has some flaws, such as the melding of some songs in the middle part of the album due to a similarity in sound, the approach Himsa has taken towards their metal sound, combined with the variety Himsa also employ throughout this album have paid off dividends for them, creating a commendable, well-rounded album.
Throughout ten years under the ‘Himsa’ moniker, the constantly changing lineup has introduced new ideas into their musical identity, resulting in a band whose individual approach to 2000’s metal has resulted in them releasing their best album in their careers.
‘Summon in Thunder’ was the sound of a band realizing their own impressive sound and could have been the start of finally reaching out of the underground obscurity this band was often afforded.
Since this being a first review and all, any feedback would be appreciated.
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Pretty solid review. Don't really invest much of my time into metalcore, but your descriptions gave me a fairly vivid picture of what the album sounds like.
Your formatting and structure was a bit funky, but I could see what you were trying to do though.This Message Edited On 09.28.08
| | | Album Rating: 4
Decent review.
This album was great, real shame they had to split.
Digging: Everything Went Black - Cycles of Light Digging: Everything Went Black - Cycles of Light | | |
Agree with both, very, very underrated band. This definitely surpasses Hail Horror and the tennis themed video for Unleashe Cranage is incredible. And Pettibone just happens to be an all around badass.
Digging: Botanist - I: The Suicide Tree / II: A Rose From the Dead
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Yeah I definitely wouldn't want to spill John Pettibone's pint!
Massive shame Himsa split they could have done so much more after releasing an album of such quality... Genius band, they shall be missed
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John Pettibone = badass metal fuck, the guy basically rules
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Have you seen the clip of Johhny running off stage and beat up some big guy for pushing the smaller kids. He used to manage Botch I heard. Dude is one of my favorite musical figures.This Message Edited On 09.28.08
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Have you seen the clip of Johhny running off stage and beat up some big guy for pushing the smaller kids.
Yes, it's funny as hell.
Dude is one of my favorite musical figures.
This.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Did anyone see the video for Big Timber?
That was one weird video. good though.
Tennis one was funny too.
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this is a good band, too bad they broke up
| | | Album Rating: 4
I miss these guys. they always put on one hell of a show and always stuck around to talk to the fans.This Message Edited On 09.28.08
Digging: Love American - Disquiet Digging: Love American - Disquiet | | | Album Rating: 5
This CD took them completely out of the metalcore genre that I felt they were stupidly lumped into. This album is a killer, beginning to end
Digging: Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo | | | Album Rating: 4.5
The main riff in Curseworship is mind blowing.
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Underrated band. As was Undertow.
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this shit rules
| | | Album Rating: 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWa2co2qrsE
Pettibone is awesome
| | | Album Rating: 4
i still have to check this band out, any feedback???
Digging: Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal Digging: Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal | | |
They are good, and dude ur tits are nice
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pettibones been makin quite a bit of guest appearances at shows lately in seattle.
everybody screamin for a himsa reunion. cross your fingers.
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead
| | | Album Rating: 4
yeah i got this a few months ago, cursworship slays for days
Edit: and if they were to get back together i would deff be on that show Life
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWa2co2qrsE
these guys are really cool
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