What started as a punk/hardcore band in the 80s, turned into Black
Sabbath-inspired doom in the 90s. These changes were brought
about by ed by a singer / guitarist / songwriter Pepper Keenan, who,
as many people do NOT know, did not form the band (that honor belongs to guitarist Woody Weatherman and bassist Mike Dean). C.O.C. went through numerous lead vocal changes, before Keenan decided to sing himself, and the band reached certain popularity in the early 1994 with "Deliverance." Very heavy and low Sabbath-like sound and Keenan's trademark "dirty" voice distinguish the band from the rest. In 1996 they released "Wiseblood" and then took a long break, during which the band's popularity began to wane. Their latest, "In The Arms Of God" (2005), largely went unnoticed.
BLIND
(1993)
RATING: ***
BEST SONGS: "Dance Of The Dead," "Vote With A Bullet"
Blind was the band's transitional album, as they were
switching from pure hardcore of their first two albums to a more
doomy sound, which they played throughout the 90s. Mostly a
mediocre album with large hardcore influences. Karl Agell is a
decent vocalist, but he lacks personality of Keenan (which
contributes partially here). Flashes of brilliance do appear
in both highlights above, as well as in "Mine Are The Eyes Of God,"
but largely this album leaves me cold. It is somewhat curious
to see the Southern tinge in the hardcore backbone of the band, but
that flavor is not as pronounced here as on the later
albums.
DELIVERANCE
(1994)
RATING: ****1/2
BEST SONGS: "Clean My Wounds," "Seven Days,"
"Shelter"
A darn good, though quite different album.
Power metal fans would probably dislike it. It has almost no speed
whatsoever: the only songs faster than mid-tempo are "Heavens Not
Overflowing" and "Clean My Wounds," but this is why I call it
"doom." The sound is very low, guitars are tuned way down, and
Keenan sings with a feeling of great depression. Actually, the
entire album is quite depressing, but this is what makes it so good.
People who have been listening to the radio in 1994-95 should know
"Clean My Wounds" (it was there once every hour or so). It's got a
very cool and unusual riff, a kick ass refrain ("Knock it down,
knock it down!"), and a few awesome guitar licks here and there.
Other strong tracks are energetic opener "Heaven Not Overflowing,"
bitter "Senor Limpio" and "My Grain," and very evil "Shake Like
You." "Seven Days" is an excellent tale of bitter Jesus on the
cross. It's so emotional, I wouldn't recommend it to easy-crying
people. Actually, "Deliverance" is a theme album. Most of the songs
are about genesis, Jesus, damnation, salvation, etc. Jesus in those
songs is a very disappointed person ("Heaven Not Overflowing,"
"Seven Days," "Pearls Before Swine"), or it's the man who is
disappointed in god (title track, "Shake Like You"). The album also
has three short and very pretty instrumentals ("Without Wings" is my
favorite) and one terrific track without printed lyrics, "Shelter."
The title track is actually sung not by Keenan, but by a bassist
Mike Dean. His voice is very similar to Keenan. Good, powerful
stuff.
WISEBLOOD
(1996)
RATING: ****
BEST SONGS: "King Of The Rotten," "Long
Whip/Big America," "The Snake Has No Head"
Good quality heavy metal, with touches of
doom (COC's usual Sabbathy style). I can't call this CD "for
everyday's use," and it lacks the superhits of its predecessor, but
overall -- almost just as good. Another thing this album is lacking
is fast songs, but I guess that's just the way COC is. "King Of The
Rotten" and "The Door," being fast midtempo, come the closest, and
they're both great tracks. Oops, and I forgot about "Fuel." This
song is the fastest I have heard from COC: it's quite a speed
attack, but a little too punky. And then I could just about name and
highlight the entire track list. "Long Whip," title track (the only
radiohit), "Goodbye Windows" (epic tune, starts very melodic, ends
in grunge), "Born Again For The Last Time," "The Snake Has No Head"
(a great political anthem, in vein of "Deliverance" or "Shake Like
You," and tries to fill the void left by the demise of Queensryche's
socio-political manifestos). On "Man Or Ash" I could have sworn
James Hetfield is doing a guest appearance in the chorus, but nah,
he wasn't THAT cool. "Redemption City" is a good heavy blues-ballad.
All in all, a solid work from these veterans of American
metal.
|
|
