Wednesday 4 June 2008

Mind Over Four - The Goddess (1990)


Imagine a sound so classic, yet reflective. Imagine a sound familiar, yet refreshing, innovative, yet somehow normal, but with a style and pose way beyond many other sounds you've heard. Think of a Metallica melted with Watchtower's complexities, or Death Angel strapped alongside alternative metal at its beast from the early '90s. This is the only way I can truly describe the flavour of Mind Over Four. They are a true metal band without a doubt, and yet without veering insanely to the left field, they still harbour imaginings up there with Faith No More, whilst maintaining an almost crisp, sharp and complex edge that wouldn't sound out of place on Megadeth's 'Rust In Peace', and yet the band have never reached any kind of height within their chosen field of unknown metal. There's nothing totally awkward or alienating about 'The Goddess', but it has a supremacy and casual arrogance that enables it to look down on supposedly successful bands, and yet sneer at them for their lack of real talent, but, Mind Over Four have surely become one of those too cool to be famous bands. They are immensely creative, unpredictable without ever attempting the strange, but there is certainly an element of the obscure about them despite their sound coming across like a slower Death Angel yet with a classic groove. Strangely strange but oddly normal!

Spike Xavier is a classy vocalist, reaching any mountainous note with ease, yet there is certainly a stark aura to proceedings to the extent that you'll feel as though Mind over Four can take you to some very alien world's and whilst you will be tempted to vacate to most, the journey will always remain slightly uneasy, as if you're not part of the plan.

Again, don't expect some carnival of the surreal, simply enjoy the heaviness and wonder why you can't put your finger on their beauty.

8/10

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