Tracklisting: (1) Devil's Garden (2) Somewhere Close to Nowhere (3) Buried In Greed (4) The Warsong (5) UglyPrettyLittleHead (6) Voodoo Swing (7) Chrysalis (8) Cattle Call (9) Another Smiling Mask (10) Fever Queen (11) This is What it is (12) Interlude: Believer (slight return) Herbert is a four piece, progressive rock band based out of Santa Cruz, California. After five years of honing their unique blend of classic guitar rock and rhythmic metal sound, Herbert has released Chrysalis a full-length CD on their own label UglyPrettyLittleMusic. Herbert's debut release has strengthened their position as one of California's premier up and coming rock acts, and sustains the buzz that surrounds the live performances of this powerful group. Fronting the band with his emotionally charged, broody vocals, is Mat Fitzsimmons. Mat not only manifests the sound vision that is Herbert, but also brings his raw talents to focus for band paraphernalia, brewing popular artwork of apocalyptic characters. Mason Ching carries the heavy load as Herbert's bass player. Mason's battle-ax sound is thick, driving and omnipresent. The backbone of the rhythm section is Steve Ilse on the drums. Anyone who has seen Herbert live can notice the transfixed eyes of fans on Steve's precise and monstrous atomic jazz beats. Rounding off the band with well-thought, power-rock guitar riffs is Mike Anderson. Mike maintains a balance between rhythm and lead guitar, layering dense and churning chords with sharp and aggressive melodies. Mat, Mason, Steve and Mike create the infectious sounds and superstitious grooves of Herbert . Herbert's debut release Chrysalis is a twelve-song collection recorded in six days on 16 track, 1 inch analog tape by Bart Thurber at House of Faith in Oakland, California. Buck Wylee Productions of Santa Cruz, California produced the initial disc pressing. Eli Atkins of Design 173 completed the cover layout and graphic design. The band is currently being self-managed through their label UglyPrettyLittleMusic. Turn it on, play it loud, enjoy the netherworld sounds of Herbert. I bought this on the basis of recommendations, and I'm very glad I did. This band plays a truely unique blend of progressive, metal, jazz, punk and thrash. The closest thing I have heard before is Tool (yes, they really are that good). Very tight, the songs shift and twist in unexpected directions and at unexpected moments. Complex and multi-layered, heavy and demanding, The songs feature some very cool riffs and lead guitar work, a very enigmatic singer and some of the sickest drum work since Tool's "Aenima". An album almost as unpredictable as quantum mechanics but a damn sight more enjoyable. This will probably be difficult to find, but hey, you owe it to yourself to get some good music and to support a very talented band. I got my copy through Meteor City. Released by UglyPrettyLittleHead. UglyPrettyLittleMusic 231 Surfside Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: 831.421.0510 E-mail: buckwylee@yahoo.com For more information write to Herbert at : 508 California Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: 831.425.1647 Review by Neil Gallop and Derek (neil.gallop@softwareag.com) |