Allen West, the guitar player of Obituary and Six Feet Under among others, formed Lowbrow after he was kicked out from those bands. Mr. West is known from more or less primitive style of playing. And that's what you'll hear on this sophomore, final Lowbrow album, too.

I found Lowbrow's 1999 debut album 'Victims at Play' to be very much in vein of 'Haunted', the debut of 'Six Feet Under', and some Obituary, of course; mid-to-fast paced, groovy death metal. Guitars are about hacking slower riffing and faster tremolo picking (the second axe is played by ex-Nasty Savage guitarist Ben Meyer). This time around there are leads on most of the songs; they are there but they tend to go in to one ear and come out the other. The guitar tone is quite sharp, opposite to more muffled one on the debut. This also applies to the general production on this album which was again produced by Obituary drummer Donald Tardy and Mark Prator.

The rhythm section also come from Nasty Savage (well, among other bands): Richard Bateman's bass guitar both follows and adds extra to rhythm guitar work, while Curt Beeson's rather basic yet into-the-point drumming includes loads of double kicks. The rhythm section sound very organic, and I guess the band sounded like this when they played live.

Richard Hornbacher's vocals are vile. His throat lacerating barking voice is like a mixture of Chris Barnes' and John Tardy's styles. However, Mr. Hornbacher's outlet is almost totally invariable. Nothing new in death metal, this. The lyrics include some gore as expected, but also social commentary about various subjects.

The songs take place on a rather small playground, because of West's playing style. There is no place for show-offs or expanded compositions where he operates. You won't hear any technical wizardry on this album, that's guaranteed. The energy is there, and as a whole this feels to be kicking a bit more viciously than the debut album. And it simply rolls on.

Lowbrow is for the fans of Obituary, Six Feet Under, Benediction and primitive death metal in general. Simply as that, really! Put on that monkey mask (if needed), flush down yor favourite beer (and nothing fancier) and get some Lowbrow on yer stereo system, and ape on!!!

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/14/2017 16:39