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I've been yappin' (apparently silently) about this band since I picked up their debut album ["Subliminal Fear"] sight unseen (and song unheard) way back in 1999. Apparently I'll continue my little affair with this great Thrash (of the almost Death Metal variety, thanks, no doubt, to the band being 'Swedish as Fuck' [apologies to their quasi-labelmates The Haunted]) band, now that I've finally picked up their sophomoric album, "Perfection in Pain," almost 4 years after first being attacked by their sonic barrage. Wow. I have gone on record saying that I was a bit displeased or maybe even unimpressed by The Haunted's latest opus, "One Kill Wonder." While I still find it an impressive platter of Death-soaked Thrash, it lacked a little something. Oh, yeah. Differentiation between songs which all seemed to run together after the very (VERY) Slayer sounding intro track. These minor problems are not present on Corporation 187's new opus (or the debut, really). "Perfection in Pain" (and its predecessor) was released by Earache's "farm team" label, Wicked World, which apparently does not put out very many releases since Corp. 187's debut is #9 and the follow-up is #14. Also, Decapitated's debut, "Winds of Creation," was a Wicked World release (#11 for those of you keepin' track), but the Polish wunderkinds were called up to the "majors" [to stretch the baseball metaphor] on their follow-up, as "Nihility" has an Earache record number (Mosh 255) while still bearing the Wicked World imprint logo. Curious, no? History of labels aside, this band is solid.
Like The Haunted did after releasing their debut, Corporation 187 got a facelift by way of a new vocalist. The change between first and second releases is paralleled between these two great Swedish Thrash bands in that the addition of new blood was more effective at delivering a killer product. While the "ousted" frontmen both produced admirable vocals and overall vibe, their replacements are moreso worthy. [Yes, all of this is IN MY HUMBLE OPINION.] At times soundin' like a Chuck Schuldiner-made Thrash album (with the vocals particularly soundin' like Evil Chuck on many of the album's 10 tracks), Corporation 187 really _unleash_ their sound on the listener with these razor sharp, mechanically precise tracks. If you're a fan of The Haunted, you certainly owe it to yourself to see how the dudes from just across the unlit Swedish railroad tracks sound. If you're a fan of killer Thrash, you also owe it to yourself to check these guys out. Oh, this is better than that Lamb of God release I was praising all over the countryside, too. While comparisons to The Haunted necessarily abound in light of the veritable "rebirth" of Thrash via the skill of Swedish madmen (including these bands and several others who I won't name), Corporation 187 have enough skill, technical ability, musicianship, and tenacity to be on par with their countrymen, if not surpass them. Added bonus, the Peter Tägtgren (of Hypocrisy) mixed [and produced?] sound makes for a crushing, crystal clear, and killer sound experience. Shrrrred!!
Corporation 187
"Perfection in Pain"
Wicked World Records [by way of Earache]
9 outta 10.
Get it.
Now.
[This record is a paltry $12 (postage paid in the U.S.) via our friends at www.theendrecords.com so why wait?]
| Tracklist |
| 1. Religious Connection |
| 2. Ghosts Of Confusion |
| 3. Liquid Truth |
| 4. My Life To Kill |
| 5. Thursday-Night Aggression |
| 6. Perfection In Pain |
| 7. 2nd Pain |
| 8. Strange Is Strong |
| 9. Violated Relation |
| 10. The Joy Of Being Addicted |
: 35.27
| Buy other Corporation 187 albums |
