COAL CHAMBER — Coal Chamber (review)

Album · 1997 · Nu Metal

2/5 · 2012-01-15
arcane-beautiful

Nu metal can either be complete and utter joke, or at times it can be all right. To be honest, I like at least one song from most nu metal bands.

I was aware of these guys, and I vaguely remember one of their songs, but to be honest I had never heard any more of their stuff. I do like Dez's new band Devildriver...and to be honest...I hadn't completely given these guys any recognition or attention, so I thought, “hey, why not, what’s the worst that can happen?” Plus, the CD was only £1.

So was it any good? Well it's not bad...but it isn't good either.

The album does have a lot of filler and moments where I'm thinking “what the hell are you's doing” there are some great songs and great moments on the album, don't get me wrong, but its just the rest that puts it down, which is a shame to be honest.

The album is typical nu metal at times. Drop tuned riffs that sound like Korn, that weird bass slappy sound that sounds like Korn, and the tight as hell bass drum sound that Korn has. In fact, instrumentaly, the band sound a lot like Korn, although to be honest, everyone sounded like Korn in the 90s. The riffs are good at times, and the seeds of groove metal are still heard. The songs are simple, yet mostly effective.

Dez's vocals on the album at times are great. When he's rambling like a toad on acid, he is at his best. But at times, he can attempt some clean vocals, and they're not bad, but his vocals are better when he keeps to his strengths. His lyrics are very simple, and very monosyllabic at times, and to be honest, their might be some meaning in these lyrics that not even we know.

I also love the cover of the album as well. For some odd reason.

1. Loco – This was the song I had vague memories of when I was younger. I think it had a music video, and from what I remember it was a good one, but it was the hook of the song that I really can remember. I love this song, and it's their best in my opinion. 10/10

2. Bradley – The main riff is really good, but the song is ruined by the attempted clean vocals. The rest of the vocals I love though. 7/10

3. Oddity – Great chorus. There is some amazing riffs in this song. Dez's rambling vocals are a real highlight as well. 8/10

4. Unspoiled – Pretty good build up throughout. Love the screams in the chorus. The vocals really make these songs at times. 9/10

5. Big Truck – there is something funny about this song. Good chorus and some cool time changes. 7/10

6. Sway – I love the intro of the song but to be honest, it gets pretty generic after that. Chorus is good but it does go on a bit. Although I did find it funny at the end, because it sounds like he's shouting Flava Flav at the end. 6/10

7. First – Pretty boring. Trying to be Tool at times. This is the bands attempt at a song like System Of A Downs Mind, but it just doesn't work. Some cool moments at times though, especially the riff after the chorus.5/10

8. Maricon Puto – Cool odd intro. 6/10

9. I – Love the rambling in the verses. The chorus isn't the best. I do like the quite middle bit of the song. Build up at end is good. 6/10

10. Clock – There is something quite Metallica about this song. The chorus is a bit silly tho (a bit like Big Truck). Some cool riffs though. 6/10

11. My Frustration -A really generic boring song. 4/10

12. Amir of the Desert – I'm glad these guys have a sense of humour. 9/10

13. Dreamtime – Another generic song. Good way to put these at the end. 4/10

14. Pig – So they go out on a high. Why the album isn't more like songs like these I don't know. Love Dez's vocals in this song. 7/10

CONCLUSION: I will be honest, if your wanting to get a nu metal album, this is probably one of the best ones to get (along with Drowning Pool, System Of A Down, Linking Park and Korn's first albums). This album isn't terrible, their are good moments, and the band can play, it's just that at times they try and either copy other bands, or try and do something very different, which really isn't what they should be doing, especially for a first album. The sound these guys have most of the time is a good sound, and should have been used and experimented to its potential. As single songs, the album can work, and to be honest, they would work better on a compilation.

5.3/10