When two of best bands on the Solid State roster unite for a split
EP, you know you're in for a treat. The disc has two new songs from each
band, making for some serious noise. Where else can you find the frenzied
chaos of Training for Utopia with the intense death metal of Zao, and on
the same disc? Of the two bands, I found myself liking the Training
for Utopia songs better, the Zao tracks coming across as less intense and
tight then the new songs from Training for Utopia.
The first Training for Utopia song, "Modus Operandi," starts out
with a solid speed riff, then moves off into some intensely chaotic vocals.
The first Zao song, "Skin Like Winter," uses some steady riffing to get
you into it, then brings in the pounding drums and guitars that were used
so successfully on their last album. The second Training for Utopia
song, "Police John, Police Red," starts out with an eerie-sounding acoustic
guitar and some actual singing, but then switches over to the chaos that
is their sound. The second Zao song, "Walk On By, Walk On Me (The
Pianist's Prophecy), while not really memorable, uses more of their heavy
riffing and blast beats to carry the song.
So, if your liked the last albums by these artists, then you'll
probably like this EP, as it basically picks up where the two bands left
off with their last albums. This disc is well worth the money, delivering
some solid, if not spectacular, songs by two great bands.
By Joe Rockstroh (9/25/98)
