From Texas, the groove-metal capitol of the universe, come FAITHBOMB. I can't emphasize enough your need to buy this CD if your taste include the "conservative thrash" sound along the lines of PANTERA, ELOI, ETERNAL DECISION, and HEATHEN (old school, I know!) Good production, clean/clear vocals, groove and a more positive sound than the aggressive/dark approach. Straight forward Christian lyrics for the entirety. A clip from "the Down Road" speaks of shock/Satanic motivated bands statements of not wanting to cause listeners harm from their negative lyrics: "shock value is your friend/ the downside is not/ intentional?..Oh No/ but just the same, downward you go." Groove metal is usually a little too redundant and mellow for me, but the tempos change enough here to rescue the LP from the outdated, boring, and conservative feeling groove-metal sends me. A little too mellow for my blood, but is a merit indeed for groove/thrash fans.
6.5/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Chad OlsonI'm not sure what to call this stuff anymore. There's not much of it around, so it's kind of hard to describe. Metal, yeah, but don't be scared. I love metal, and so can you. Pantera-like song structures, but with more groove and more melodies. Cool controversial artwork of the American flag draped over the cross, thus the disc title The American Jesus. For ordering info, see ad this issue.Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by HadeSlayeRThe title of the album derived from the title track that was written in answer to some of the Rob's (band's vocalist) 'cynical about God' friends. This is one of the better Christian metal albums I have heard for ages. Why?? Because of the crunchy as an apple, bass-y as an ______ (insert object here) element in their music. These guys really know how to rock. I can only sing praises of this…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by D_ListerI didn't even think I had the right CD in the player. I was pretty well sure I had accidentally put in an old Corrosion of Conformity CD. Musically and vocally Faithbomb puts together the heavy hooks, powerful punchy guitars, and severe vocals commonly associated with CoC but still have an end product that is distinctly their own. "Rise Above" kicks this off with a very thick sound that sets the…
