Tribulation were active from 1986 to somewhere the first half of 1990s. 'Clown of Thorns' is the only album the band released. The title of the record hints to humour. Some of the music, lyrics and performance were done with humour in mind, but as we all know, it is not an easy art. And lyrics have some serious topics and then made "humorous". Uurgh!

Tribulation's music was thrashy hardcore. I waited for some thrash when I got this is a trade, but this hc-side surprise me. I wouldn't have traded this if I knew the real face of Tribulation. I do not like hardcore music thank you. In my ears majority of those few metallic parts sound crap (if only it would have included more stuff like the intense beginning riffage of 'Rise of Prejudice', but no...) and when the majority of 'Clown of Thorns' is something else, fuck this! Fast punky stuff with gang vocals, neglecting heaviness of metal music, with some funk 'n' rock stuff thrown in to make this unbearable for me. I bet this sounded funny to guys themselves, but this humour aspect doesn't work at all. Contrary, it makes me tick! And sick. There's acoustic guitar played in many songs, making them sound like some campfire songs or something.

The production is echoing, flat (yeah, badly balanced) and not heavy at all. Vocals are both bad (badly sung ones and fooling around ones, plus those effected ones) and okay (angry ones). Guys aren't any master musicians, but at least they can play unlike many a hardcore band.

From a metal music view this album really sucks! From hardcore point of view I am not the right person to comment. However, in my ears 'Clown of Thorns' sounds as bad as aged butter. And those who have tasted it know the taste makes vomit fly. One annoying album, this!

Rating: 2½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/26/2004 17:26