Forbidden's third album sounds mature, in both negative and positive aspects. The biggest positive aspect is, that 'Distortion' is metal, as many of Forbidden's thrashing contemporaries turned into shit rock bands or something like that.

'Distortion' is Forbidden in their slow gear. Most of the songs are mid-paced and quite long. Sadly, usually Forbidden's long build-ups on many of the songs here make the music drag. Not all the time, but too much, since at times it takes over a minute to get things rolling. This album doesn't have enough driving rhythms. Tom drum beats, I've never really liked them, simply aren't very energetic in my ears. Still, there's a lot of rhythm changes and Steve Jacobs can surely play, but maybe too many a change of a beat makes this also a bit patchy. Another thing is, that there's hardly a riff I'd call "killer" but a few. Guitar players Craig Locicero and Tim Calvert (later in Nevermore) are very able, but what are you going to do if the majority of the song material is uninteresting?! The music has a dark aura all over it, reminding me of more straight yet not at all so catchy Nevermore. Well, there was five years between much better 'Twisted into Form' (1990) and this, so maybe this was too long in the making. The cover of King Crimson's '21st Century Schizoid Man' is that laziest thing here, easily, it is bloody boring.

'Distortion' was produced by Patrick Coughlin together with the band. Every instrument has its space and still this is tight. The band have matured and certainly lost some of the past "craziness". Still, guitar have lovely, ripping sound on them. Bass guitar is a bit powerless, sounding similar to Testament's 'Practice What You Preach' (1989) album. Russ Anderson's vocals are good, possibly his best ever. He doesn't hit so high notes as before this, but he sings more. Of course he's backed by shout choir in real thrash metal style! I find lyrics exploring problems of modern society boring, and this is full of 'em. Heck, if the lyrics are about being crushed by society, the music shouldn't sound that way too!

Generally, darker stuff makes me usually bang me head if it's worth it, but this album doesn't do it but occasionally. So, I must blame the song writing and only song writing! A lot of stuff here is simply dragging, with too few energetic thrash parts dropped here and there. Maybe musicians find some great tips here... And those who seek thrashing metal with a dark feeling.

Rating: 6- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/11/2003 12:07