Incubus

Item: S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Author: Joe Rockstroh

S.C.I.E.N.C.E.

(1997)

Reviewed by Joe Rockstroh

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Immortal Records / EpicThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

funk metal rapcore

In a music era that, for all intents and purposes, has become stagnated to the point of apathy, it's refreshing when a band comes along and experiments, deviating from the well-worn path of pop stardom in an effort to make their own path. It's even more refreshing when a band manages to make their new musical concoction as interesting, engaging, and energetic as Incubus has.

Incubus is the ultimate amalgamation of funk, rapcore, groove metal, and hip-hop--a blended shake of the many diverse yet popular musical genres that rule the market today. By taking these divergent musical influences, and using the traditional band elements plus a live DJ, Incubus has crafted a heavy and catchy sound that most bands only dream about. The only band on the market that bears any resemblance to Incubus is Korn, but while Korn's latest effort was more a case of a metal band adding some funk, Incubus brings in the funk as a key element to their sound. Also, while Korn's lyrics and music take a "blow-up-the-world" attitude, Incubus comes across with intelligent lyrics and an attitude of being only slightly perturbed. The lyrics to "Vitamin" are a prime example:

I'm born
I'm alive
I breath.
I grow up
my open eyes see...
A zombified, somnambulist society.
Leaving us as vitamins for the
Hibernating human animal.
Do you see what I mean?"

The typical Incubus song is a combination of intense soaring head-banging grooves and feisty funk intros and solos, coupled with the DJ Lyfe's odd samples and turntable scratching. Deserving of a separate mention, lead throat Cornelius's spitfire rapping and singing is as dynamic and intense as the music. His excellent rapping ability coupled with a gorgeous singing voice is only reminiscent of TOOL's lead singer.

With intense rockers like "Redefine," "Vitamin," and "New Skin," and the all-out retro funk attack of "Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)," Incubus provides engaging, well-written material from the album's start to finish. With excellent production from Jim Wirt that brings the guitar tones and grooves to life, this debut has been exceptionally handled. Christians though, should be warned, this album contains several profanities, though the album bears no parental warning sticker. Also, whereas the band takes their name from sexually active demons, the lyrical content is not blatantly Satanic in any way. Fans of both heavy music and especially Korn should take note, Incubus is here to stay and intend to make their mark.

5 tocks