Selfmindead
Artist: Selfmindead
Label: Soulscape Records/Tooth
& Nail
Time: 12 tracks / 33:11
Tooth & Nail is just the record label of the decade. Not only did they almost single-handedly elevate edgy "Christian" music to the present, now they're importing previously hard-to-get albums by killer bands from Scandinavia like Blindside, Royal, Extol...and Selfmindead. Hopefully, they'll keep it up, and send their scouts out everywhere in search of great unknowns (in the US anyway).
Not much has changed of Selfmindead since I reviewed this album as an import over a year ago. It still grooves heavily and smoothly, skillfully skirting the edges of rapcore without ever crossing over. Hardcore to be sure, but a step ahead because of something all hardcore bands should learn: song variety. The tracks actually stand out one from another, due more to changes in tempo rather than changes in guitar tone (the same rumbling riverbottom crunch'n'munch sound is found throughout). The vocals are distorted and sometimes pretty harsh, but Ilkka always gets the lyrics out intelligibly with plenty of variety and style (unlike most hardcore). The topics are typically depressing and anguished, ranging from fears about technology's effect on mankind to stating the need to fill up with God when driving on the dark and dangerous road of life. The glimmer of light is always there, however.
There's so much intensity and anger to be found here; it would be hard to find a match elsewhere in Christian music (Six Feet Deep perhaps). I suppose they crashland in the Korn/Deftones category of godzilla grooves, but still maintain their own distinct identity. Ferocious and full of fury, yet wise in the ways of good songwriting...this is quality spit-core. One complaint could be the short album length, but these kinds of crunchfests are best digested in small doses anyway.
By Josh Spencer 11/20/98)
I saw the guys on the cover of this, and thought, "Great, another generic, harsh, hardcore experience." Then I noticed they were from Sweden and thought "Hmmm," as the first strains of hardcore heaven rocked my stereo speakers. By the second song I was smiling uncontrollably and cranking it up even louder. Selfmindead grooves heavily and smoothly, making skilled use of flowing rap rhythms throughout (but this is NOT rapcore). The vocals are distorted and sometimes pretty harsh, but Ilkka always gets the lyrics out intelligibly with plenty of variety and style (unlike most hardcore). The topics are typically depressing and anguished, but the glimmer of light is always there. There's so much intensity and anger to be found here, though; it would be hard to find a match elsewhere in Christian music (Six Feet Deep perhaps...). I found myself imagining a huge metal Godzilla carving deep grooves into rock-hard concrete as I was listening to this--that's the effect it had on me (really!). I might be paralyzed and in a wheelchair, but these guys almost had me up and moshing around the room. Ferocious and full of fury, yet wise in the ways of good songwriting . . . quality spit-core for yer momma. YEAH!
By Josh Spencer (11/19/97)
