REVIEW: Horfixion - Instigators Of Chaos
Galy Records, 2002
7/10
Bands like this tread the thin line between thrash metal and death metal. Where exactly does the crossover occur? How heavy can you get and still be considered thrash? How heavy do you have to be to be labeled death metal? A moot point, and likely not a concern of Horfixion, anyways. This Quebec quartet plays some deep speed/thrash with precocious amounts of technicality and yelled vocals. The title track displays their well-developed sense of melody, as well as solid playing and timing by all. Vocals are handled by both the bass player and rhythm guitarist, and are delivered in a very Schuldiner-ish manner. "Minefield" contains some awesome old-school speed metal riffage, while "Le Retour de la Grande Faucheuse" has the album's best slow breakdowns. Martyr drummer Patrice Hamelin delivers a great session performance, laying out long, powerful double bass runs with a refreshing array of cymbal sticking. As with most speed and thrash metal, the vocals got somewhat predictable after a while, but that goes back to the question of what constitutes a death metal band and what constitutes a thrash metal band. Horfixion's bio calls them death/thrash, and with the too-heavy for thrash musicianship and catchy overall feel of these 10 songs, this is a band that should find a home in the CD racks of both thrash and death metal fans.