NEGATIVE PRAYER
NEGATIVE PRAYER "Self//Wound"
By Dr. Abner Mality
Congregation will now rise and bow their heads, the hymnal of Hell is about to begin!
NEGATIVE PRAYER is a two man bomb squad specializing in grinding d-beat hardcore with a death metal touch. It's yet another band featuring drummer Charlie Koryn, who is now involved with what has to be a double-digit list of bands and projects including MORBID ANGEL and INCANTATION. The brother has got ADHD for sure. His partner in crime here is Kyle House, who handles all guitars and adds grumbling death metal growls to NEGATIVE PRAYER.
They try their hand at crusty d-beat in the vein of ANTICIMEX, DISCHARGE, DRILLER KILLER and the like. It's a fairly easy style to master. The energy is high and the crust is extra crispy, but I dunno, there is something somewhat lacking here. First, I don't think the death growls of House really fit the music. It requires more of an angry punk shout...think of Tomas Lindberg in the excellent DISFEAR, for example. And though N.P. is certainly true to their mission statement, I don't hear that extra level of songwriting where tunes make a long lasting impact on your brain. Strangely enough, the cover of THE MISFITS' "Bloodfeast" emerges as the catchiest track here.
That being said, you can still get pummeled by this band. "Noose" is a killer crust track, "Caged" is a little bit more in a straight punk vein and final cut "Amputate" tries to bring in some AMEBIX style moodiness. And Charlie's drumming is just plain faultless. And keep in mind, this is NEGATIVE PRAYER's debut, so there's room to grow.