Was it any good?
Actually yes, it is pretty damn good. Perhaps comparing it to the buzz around MachineHead in '94 was a slight exaggeration :lol: but it's a very good album.
The songwriting, playing & production are excellent & as an album it's remarkably consistent - there isn't a single track on here that you could call a "filler" or that doesn't belong. I especially like the melodies & some of the chording on the quieter interludes.
The only minor gripe is with some of the vocals: I like what they are
trying to do, it's just that the singer isn't always particularly good at it. A little harsh perhaps because when he gets it right (Totla Mad & Icarus Lives) it really adds to the song, but elsewhere his singing gets a bit whiny & his screaming/growling just grates. In places there are just too many lyrics: I loved "Ow My Feelings" when they had it on the myspace page as an instrumental & was expecting it to be one of my favourite tracks on the album, but much of the great arrangement is lost under the vocals which are all over it.
Yes, I noticed that a certain forum member was credited with a solo in the sleeve notes. Also, I laughed at the 1950s-style talking bit just before Totla Mad... :lol:
Overall, I'd give it 8½/10 :)
