State Of Negation - Project Payback
Let's cut the crap and just lay it out on the table from the get-go here; Haarlem's State Of Negation are a pretty straightforward act, offering a rather typical modern hybrid of post-thrash groove metal and metalcore. I can already see you wincing after reading that, but even the most tried and tested of musical shenanigans can be good if they're done by the right band you know, and these guys are probably the prime example of making such music enjoyable again.
I guess the best way to sum up Project Payback's sound would be to say that it was a bastard mix of Chimaira and Pissing Razors (not often you hear that name mentioned!) with perhaps a slight helping of Kataklysm or Watain in there as well for the more melodic blasting sections. It's full of great riffing and there's plenty of headbanging potential to be found across the EP's six tracks, it's readily apparent that State Of Negation are a band that are truly passionate about what they do and it actually comes across as such in their music - as opposed to a majority of bands in their area who tend to sound like bands trying to be their influences instead of being... influenced by their influences, if that makes any sense to you at all. Yes, it's groove-core stuff, but it's done in such a way that it's difficult to find something to legitimately complain about aside from the tried and tested formula they've employed. The band's thrash, death and black metal influences tend to come to the surface once in a while to help break up any lingering monotony, the songs are well paced, the production is really tight and it's just such a satisfying package overall. Even the hardest, kvltest metal nutter would find something to enjoy here.
Once again, this review has been very short. And once again, it's because there's not a great deal to say outside of how surprisingly good this band is - I grew out of the whole groove metal thing in my mid-teen years, but I've always had a soft spot for such music when it's done well and State Of Negation have done it splendidly. The entire EP is available as a pay-what-you-want download on their BandCamp page so even if you're really unsure about this, you could dowload it for free if you wish to do so. No harm done. So despite falling into what many would call the modern or 'untrue' sound, State Of Negation's Project Payback EP is actually surprisingly good. There's something enjoyable for everybody here.
I guess the best way to sum up Project Payback's sound would be to say that it was a bastard mix of Chimaira and Pissing Razors (not often you hear that name mentioned!) with perhaps a slight helping of Kataklysm or Watain in there as well for the more melodic blasting sections. It's full of great riffing and there's plenty of headbanging potential to be found across the EP's six tracks, it's readily apparent that State Of Negation are a band that are truly passionate about what they do and it actually comes across as such in their music - as opposed to a majority of bands in their area who tend to sound like bands trying to be their influences instead of being... influenced by their influences, if that makes any sense to you at all. Yes, it's groove-core stuff, but it's done in such a way that it's difficult to find something to legitimately complain about aside from the tried and tested formula they've employed. The band's thrash, death and black metal influences tend to come to the surface once in a while to help break up any lingering monotony, the songs are well paced, the production is really tight and it's just such a satisfying package overall. Even the hardest, kvltest metal nutter would find something to enjoy here.
Once again, this review has been very short. And once again, it's because there's not a great deal to say outside of how surprisingly good this band is - I grew out of the whole groove metal thing in my mid-teen years, but I've always had a soft spot for such music when it's done well and State Of Negation have done it splendidly. The entire EP is available as a pay-what-you-want download on their BandCamp page so even if you're really unsure about this, you could dowload it for free if you wish to do so. No harm done. So despite falling into what many would call the modern or 'untrue' sound, State Of Negation's Project Payback EP is actually surprisingly good. There's something enjoyable for everybody here.
1. Project Payback
2. The Light
3. Concussioned
4. Visum Veritas
5. Hades (Bonus Track)
6. Corruption (Bonus Track)
2. The Light
3. Concussioned
4. Visum Veritas
5. Hades (Bonus Track)
6. Corruption (Bonus Track)
