The new Solid State sampler is...well...a comp. There's a total of four new tracks, out of sixteen total. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Seeing as how quite a few of the Solid State bands are slated for releases sometime this year, it would have been nice to have had more of a preview of things to come. I've heard a couple tracks off the new ZAO and can't figure out why they didn't include one on the comp.
One of the new tracks, "Halo of Winter" by Embodyment, rips it up in a big way. The band shows definite progression in their music, with Kris showing the several styles he's capable of, from guttural to shrill. You have to hear this song. Warlord has a new song on the comp, almost catchy. It makes me anxious to hear their new full length, they definitely have something new going on. A definite shift from the current hardcore trend toward metal. Living Sacrifice provides a new track as well, further establishing themselves as a metal powerhouse. Yet another brutal song for Living Sacrifice to pulverize the masses with. The very unimpressive and cliche "outside looking in," by Stretch Arm Strong takes up a track space. The song is just filler, nothing impressive at all.
The rest of the album you've most likely heard already. I was not impressed by this new disc at all. You may want to get it just for the new Embodyment and Warlord song, because everything else has been out for well over a year. Two cows.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #79Reviewed by David BixlerThe title sums up this CD quite nicely. Perhaps one of the best "young" labels has released a sampler that showcases the talent evident throughout the label. Bands like Zao, Blindside, the mighty Extol, Stretch Arm Strong, and others are found playing some of their best songs from their featured Solid State releases. The standout track, however, is the unreleased Living Sacrifice song "Enthroned…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by John SantThe new Solid State sampler is rather dull. It seems that the good ol' boys at Tooth and Nail have become lazy in their work. How they expect to pass this off as a worthwhile compilation is beyond me. There are a total of three new tracks, along with thirteen other stale songs. Needless to say, I was disappointed when I read the track list. Seeing as how quite a few of the Solid State bands are…
