Album Type: EP
Date Released: 16/8/2014
Label: Self Release
‘Low Down’ DD track listing:
1). Low-Down (04:24)
2). …From Hell (03:25)
3). Dance of Demons (06:16)
4). Dying Flesh (Zodiac Killer Vol. 1) (04:36)
The Band:
Balázs Emőd | bass guitar / music
Szabolcs Szabó | Vocals / lyrics
Gábor Vigh | Drums
Péter Usztics | Guitar / music
Gábor Lehóczky | Guitar / music
Szabolcs Szabó | Vocals / lyrics
Gábor Vigh | Drums
Péter Usztics | Guitar / music
Gábor Lehóczky | Guitar / music
Review:
Anybody remember that weird window of genre crossing, where bands thought it was still really cool to shred AND chug? ‘Drow’ remembers, and they have some great arguments for bringing that back. Crossing some genres like thrash and southern style chug, akin to core type playing, they have a nasty shred streak coupled with the heavy rhythm section from back in the late 90s-early 2000s. Hailing from Hungary
I have a few problems with the overall execution, but I’ll get to that in a moment. The band itself plays tight, with the guitars and bass balanced really well. A lot of younger bands tend to mix everything to focus on heavy CHUG bass or guitar, and I am really glad they didn't go that route. It highlights some tight six string skills from Péter Usztics and Gábor Lehóczky (both Guitars/Music) who can actually shred like the old school greats, Dimebag comes to mind immediately on the track ‘Dying Flesh’, with lots of harmonics, bends, and just faster simple licks. Some really great musicianship here, but the problem area for me, is the Singer.
I have no problems with gravelly styled singers, but Szabolcs Szabó (vocals) needs to really try something different. It’s at odds with the greatness going on, and just comes across as flat and forgettable. He has a decent growl, but the production on the vocals is lacking hard to me. It constantly distracts me and really doesn’t mesh with the songs as a whole. It's like it was recorded somewhere else, with completely different equipment, by somebody who is unfamiliar with how this type of vocal needs to be presented. Overall, this is really the only downfall of a good young band. If they can fix this, they should have a fair run at it.
I'd give the album a 3.5/5, simply for how the vocals distract from the band quality, but would recommend them for rotation in your library.
Words by: Hunter Young
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