UMUR
"Freaks" is an EP release by US, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas based thrash metal act Rigor Mortis. The EP was released through Metal Blade Records in October 1989. It bridges the gab between the band´s eponymously titled debut full-length studio album "Rigor Mortis" (1988) and their sophomore full-length studio album "Rigor Mortis vs. the Earth" (1991). There´s been one lineup change since the debut album as lead vocalist Bruce Corbitt has been replaced by Doyle Bright.
Stylistically the material on the 5 track, 25:54 minutes long EP continue the predominantly fast-paced thrash metal style of the 1988 debut album. Rigor Mortis however add a lot of speed metal and traditional heavy metal elements to their thrash metal sound, so "Freaks" is a relatively varied release. Most tracks are however dominated by the fast-paced tremolo guitar riffs by Mike Scaccia, an aggressive playing rhythm section, and Bright´s raw barking. Corbitt had a more distinct sounding voice and vocal style, but Bright also gets the job done.
So the material and the performances are strong, but "Freaks" is unfortunately marred by a rather powerless sounding production. It´s not a horrible sounding release, but it could definitely have been better sounding, and the material would have greatly prospered from that. As it is a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.
