Commercial Breakdown as the name suggests is all about highlighting the very best of the underground. Released on the blank canvas label at a very low price the compilation features UK bands as well as a token American band.

Some of the names have already begun to make an impact on the UK scene whilst others are relatively unknown.

The album begins with Raging Speedhorn’s 9-minute epic ‘random acts’. This is sludge-core at its finest and it really does feel as if each riff is caving in on you. The two singers add to the chaos with their contrasting styles of vocals ranging from harsh screams to deep death metal growls. Having already garnered attention from the UK rock press the band have a bright future ahead having only released a demo to date.

Next band 100 reasons are going to be huge!
Despite having only formed in November 1999, the band feel like they’ve been making music together far longer, demonstrating a mature sound reminiscent of tool and far. This compilation is to date the only release to their name and for me at least this warranted my going out and purchasing this album. Thankfully this compilation has many more great discoveries on it, one of which is a band called Vacant Stare. The band hit you with rap-metal mixed with an unmatched intensity. This is another band to get excited about. After listening to ‘come face up’ you will feel like you have just been assaulted yet you’ll want to listen again and again. They beat the American’s at their own game and come out with a fresh sound that a lot of bands will be envious of. This lot could very well blow the scene apart.

This compilation also features the somewhat established name of Earthtone 9. Featuring two tracks form their amazing second album Off Kilter Enhancement, if there were any justice in this world the band would be one of the biggest in the rock scene right now. Having been compared to Alice in Chains with the intensity of Machine Head its a small wonder why they haven’t exploded….maybe they need masks?

Other notable appearances on this compilation include Boghead. With their blend of techno and guitar they create a frantic fast paced noise not to dissimilar to that of underground American band Shiznit who I dig greatly.

Juice are the only American band featured on this album yet they do very little to make the UK scene envious. With their old school Korn Riffs and copycat Jonathan Davis heartfelt emotion, they probably would have blown up had they been doing this back in ’94. Nothing new here but bearable nonetheless.

This album has been in my CD player constantly over the last few weeks. Their is nothing more satisfying than discovering a band so early in their careers…well o.k. - holding your piss in and finally letting it out ranks fairly high on the satisfaction league too, but you get my point.

This album is available for a very low price and you should contact blankcanvas@dsn.co.uk for more details on how to purchase.
(4 / 5)