(Divebomb)
Oh man, I never say no to a Confessor reissue, even when I’ve probably reviewed the damn thing before, but there’s just never enough praise I can spill on this band. Uncontrolled collects the three demos that got the band signed to Earache Records back in the day for the release of their mighty Condemned album, (1988’s The Secret, 1989’s Uncontrolled, and 1990’s Collapse).
The band’s sound was so unique—the dripping doom riffs of Trouble with a soaring vocalist that mainly only dogs could hear and a technical, near-death metal rhythm section. It made no sense, it makes no sense, and it absolutely rules.
Some of these songs (“Alone”, “Collapse Into Despair”) are just absolute classics, and while the band will argue these demo versions capture the band’s sound better than the album, I must admit to have grown comfortable with Condemned’s odd, dry production sound over the years.
But you can’t lose having it all, and you also can’t lose having the six live songs included here, four of which are live on the radio from 1989 and the other two of which are non-album tracks. The booklet has an incredible amount of archival material and a band history, a great read to immerse yourself in while letting these amazing tunes wash over you for either the thousandth or the first time.
Rating: 9.0
Source: bravewords.com
