I was given this to review with the comment, "I know you and you probably won't like this." Unfortunately, I have to give props to the guy cause he was right. Overall I'd say this is a hXc (sXe if you must) band, but I did hear a lot of rapcore mixed in (NO! not another rapcore band!) I found the musical composition to be simple and overdone. I did stomp my foot a few times, but it was few and far apart, lasting less than 15 seconds. The main reason this wasn't my trip had to be the vocals. They were not really the best on the clear parts, but when the guy really laid into it, my ears filled with a highly annoying squeal that sounded like an enraged teenager. This squeal-like thingamajig was used in abundance during the faster tempos, but not limited to them alone. I did say this was more of a hardcore band than rapcore because of the fast segments that were pretty much the old school thrash, early SUICIDAL TENDENCIES speedy stuff (a lot of repetitive snare drills without much complexity.) To be brutally honest, I didn't like a single song.
2/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #76Reviewed by Ben MengdenScandinavia is going to take over the world through their hardcore / emo. Another great release from Solid State and from Sweden. This release is a modern metal guitar album with singing hardcore and lots of cymbals. Lots of time changes, pauses, feedback, and speed. Fitting well in the Solid State family, Selfmindead is similar to the likes of Embodyment or Blindside. This is melody through…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1999Reviewed by Jonathon SmithBe prepared for some pretty loud guitars, vocals, and drums when you listen to Selfmindead's self-titled debut on Solid State Records (a fairly new division of Tooth & Nail). This new band comes from Sweden, the country that gave us Blindside, Royal, and Extol. I have read a lot about a band having a "wall of sound," but Selfmindead truly does. Pounding bass and drums not only lie underneath the…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerTooth & 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…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerI 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…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by FletchI should have read the other Dead reviews before I bought this one. Imagine Blindside going sour by being given some crapcore influences. I just made up the word, "crapcore," and I think it speaks well for this album. In my opinion, Blindside was pushing it for Solid State but Selfmindead really hurt my expectations I had set on releases by Solid State. Of the entire Solid State discography, this…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by D_ListerIt seems that Much and I disagree quite a bit on music. An album he loves I simply can't stand, and an album he hates is one of my favorites. Unfortunately it takes an album like this to bring our tastes together. One of the biggest hang ups I have with this album is the let down factor. All the Solid State ads and promo for this band led me to believe we were going to be getting a cutting edge…Similar sounding releases
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