Review Summary: A powerful thrash album with minor prog influences, even if the vocals may be off-puttingly generic.
1 of 1 thought this review was well writtenFor Whose Advantage? is a neat album. Released by
Xentrix in 1990, this album was primarily thrash, but also had some elements associated with progressive metal. The end result is a satisfying album that can please most fans of metal with it's technical guitar-playing and catchy riffs. However, the album has it's problems. The guitar seems to be the main focus here; the drums take a backseat, and while they aren't particularly problematic, it would have been nice to hear more variety. The biggest problem with the album is the vocal performance. For thrash fans, it's okay, but it's so generic and average it's hardly worth noting. With that said, it's time for the track-by-track:
Song #1 - Questions: This song kicks off the album is a very strong manner. It opens with one of the catchiest riffs I've ever heard, and the catchy bridge brings us into the verse, where the vocalist comes in with his, er, shouting. This is the part where the average listener will decide whether or not they enjoy this album. While I found the vocals tolerable, they didn't do much out of the ordinary, for the verse at least. They work very well in the chorus. This song is quite a great listen, and a strong way to kick off a strong album. 9/10
Song #2 - For Whose Advantage?: The title track of the album, it starts off with an odd, weak bass riff, and sampling of a speech. It's a poor way to start, but it fortunately only lasts for a few seconds until the guitars kick in with an excellent-sounding guitar solo that leads into the catchy bridge (there's also drums, for the nobody that cares). The verse is fairly weak, being quite slow and dragging on, but the chorus picks up the slack, seeming much more involved, interesting, and overall better. It picks up the slack for the weaker parts of the song, and makes it an adequate listen. Unfortunately, the song lasts for over 6 minutes, leading to it feeling a bit stretched out. 6/10
Song #3 - The Human Condition: Wastes no time getting going, having everything start apart from the vocals right off the bat. The opening is adequate, but the verse is more interesting. When the vocals come in, the guitar all but fades away, and the bass backs the vocals in a way that is quite effective. The bridge works as a midway point between the calm verse and the more aggressive chorus. Overall, an interesting song, though for those who came for pure thrash, they may be put off by the slower verse. Of note however, is the abrupt ending, which may disappoint some listeners, as it comes out of the blue with little warning. 8/10
Song #4 - False Ideals: This song opens up with an ominous-sounding riff that leads into one of the more prog-influenced songs off of the album. The riffs are fairly unorthodox, but still work very well with the song. The verse and chorus are rather straightforward, but are still interesting, and the song comes together in an effective manner. 7/10
Song #5 - The Bitter End: The weakest song on the album. It starts off in an interesting manner that implies a ballad, but it leads into a rather boring riff, which sets the tone for the fairly generic performance of the guitarist. In addition, the vocal performance is at it's worst in this song. At least the bass sounds good, and the drums exist. This song would have been better had it been sped up slightly, and made a bit more aggressive. The more melodic side of the band falters here, and the elements at work never quite come together. 4/10
Song #6 - New Beginnings: This is the interlude of the album, an acoustic guitar piece. It serves it's purpose relatively well, as the second half of the album is decidedly more aggressive, but it seems rather unnecessary. Still, it's at least well put together. 6/10
Song #7 - Desperate Remedies: Begins in an odd way, with a strange soundclip being played seemingly in reverse, which leads to a knock on a door. Then, the main riff of the song is faintly heard, but distorts, as though being warped out of shape. While this is a very strange opening, the rest of the song is sheer aggression. Kicking in at breakneck speed from the get-go, the song remains quite aggressive throughout, lending itself to the vocals very well. Shouting vocals such as these work very well in an aggressive song of this sort, and the song comes together very well. 10/10
Song #8 - Kept In The Dark: Opens up with a funky bass riff, and the drums are actually doing something other than supporting the guitar (Granted it's supporting the bass guitar, but whatever)! For about 7 seconds. Then the guitar enters with a fairly bland riff. However, after the bridge, the song gains some energy, becoming faster. Unfortunately, the guitar work seems a bit off at times, with the various instruments not matching up properly with one another. The song works very well at times, and falters at other times. Fortunately, the moments where the song is working are the vast majority. 8/10
Song #9 - Black Embrace: My personal favorite track. Build-up at the beginning of the song leads to the fastest track on the album. Just as aggressive as Desperate Remedies, this song never lets up in it's onslaught of speed. In addition, it comes with the best guitar works on the album, between catchy, heavy riffs and techincal, blazing solos. Little to complain about, if there is anything. 10/10
Song #10 - Running, White Face, City Boy (
Gillan Cover): A close contender with The Bitter End for the weakest track. This song seems more like a generic hard rock song, and wears itself thin very quickly. The performances seem strained, and the song drags on, in spite of lasting for under 3 minutes. Overall, a poor way to end a good album. 5/10
Pros:
+Technical guitar work
+Progressive elements add to songs well
+Quick and aggressive, with powerful riffs
Cons:
-Vocals are generic
-Drums have very little variety
Highlights:
1. Black Embrace
2. Desperate Remedies
3. Questions
Lowlights:
1. The Bitter End
2. Running, White Face, City Boy (
Gillan Cover)
3. For Whose Advantage?
