Lo-Phat combine sludgy death metal with a loose interpretation of jazz and a handful of other elements trying to mix up something new. Definitely a new sound the band shy's from comparisons but, maybe except for a less technically proficient Candiria, but then again that's also due to few groups tying to blend such extreme genres. Most of the bands vocals are guttural growls and close to impossible to understand, dragging out with a sound reminiscent to that of a charging bear they quickly become annoying providing for little song progression. Although at times some spokenword is kicked with a mild rap flavor and commentating styled voice does come in, providing some dynamic change, its usually smothered over quickly with the unbearable growls that are overdone to death throughout the CD. The growls and sludgy vocals are distinct, but are stifled with constant repetition and become almost comical, sounding like a nature show about grizzly bears on the Discovery channel rather then a heavy hard sounding CD. Guitars are firmly set in the standard death metal vein, attacking with a bland loose distortion that provides a murky high end to the unbound dimensions of the music. Somewhat standard riffs with little progression drone on throughout the songs. Rarely straying off into what could be loosely described as "jazz" interludes, they lack a solidity or tightness and instead aimlessly wander through tiring solos that lack technical style or heady groove. Bass is somewhat subsituted by low tuned 7 strings and almost constantly mimics the guitar riffs minus the odd time when a spoken word verse intercedes, when such things occur the lower tuned sound sheds its shackles to play some mildly interesting riffs that loop through with crafty repetition, although not true bass it is interesting to hear. Drums are easily the tightest instrument in the bands arsenal, some striking double kick and intelligent rolls are used, consistent cymbal and highhat work and snare rolls also flow throughout the songs giving a surprisingly tight percussion that sadly is lost in the muddled music. The group gets brownie points for trying something new, but the untamed, dull vocals and schizophrenic music in the songs adversely take those away instantly. Basically its sounds like throwing people in a room and telling them to play some death metal with clumsy fills based loosely on jazz, these faults and a few others make this disc extremely hard to listen to in its entirety. It does have its charm and if you're looking for something heavy that doesn't exactly innovate but releases aggression then this might just be the disc for you, but before this band can get off the ground and establish a loyal large following, some tightening up of focus and direction will be needed to straighten out their ramshackle mish mash of song parts so the can have at least a slightly normal path of song progression. Lo-Phat do try something new, but for whatever reason it fails to incite anything other than a cringe from most of today's heavy music fans. Being loosely based in genres where technical playing, tightness and progression reign supreme, the lack of substance through this CD makes for an all around unpleasant voyage that will most likely bore the listener with its unchanging sound or frustrate them with its numbing repetition. A bit more refinement and harnessing of their musical ideas will be needed to make a thoroughly enjoyable product, because as it stands now, with each of their musical dynamics feeling average along with disheveled song structures, there's little reason not to move on.
(2.5 / 5)