Reviewed - 02/01/05

Mutual Annihilation
[Black Lotus]

The interestingly named Negative Creeps have been around for five years now and play a style of music that they apparently like to call "Satancore" according to the name of their 2001 demo. The newfound genre of "satancore" is apparently Pantera-styled chug n' groove metalcore infused with more traditional extreme metal atmospheres (mainly black metal, it would seem). Strangely enough, it actually seems to work. The production lends a strange, effective atmosphere to their whole sound. I think the drums are a little thin and need some serious beefing up to be as effective as possible, but the guitars are plenty thick and heavy. The vocals are certainly good for the style and were especially impressive on "Creeping Human Parasites" when they go into that weird, gang-like chorus. That song had a cool, battle-hymn feel to it, which I found I really liked. Really, everything is more than competently played (though admittedly, this style of music isn't known for it's complexity). Also, I must mention the song "We Come For Your Ass" as being the funniest song title of all time. Since this band's native tongue is not English, I wonder if they realize just how funny it is.

While Negative Creeps is pretty interesting overall, this album just doesn't quite work for me. Maybe it's because I never got into Pantera all that much, but I'm not really finding their songs all that captivating even if their overall sound is kinda cool. I just have no desire to go back to this album at all, but, strangely enough, I have a strong desire to show it to certain friends of mine. I guess I just admire their ambition and originality even if it doesn't personally work for me. I mean, I think there are plenty of people out there who would really enjoy this band even if I don't. For what it is, they do it well and they don't really sound like anyone else. That alone makes Negative Creeps a band that I respect… but I still don't really like them. Can't win 'em all, I suppose.