KONTACT
KONTACT “Full Contact”
By Dr. Abner Mality
Wow, this is a weird one! And perhaps that is its greatest strength. The basic framework is classic heavy metal, but the shadings around the edges are all kinds of strange. But what would expect from band members who call themselves “The Alien” and “Matt B1257+12 Z”?
If you go way, WAY back into metal lore, you may recall a band called SACRED BLADE who did a bizarre kind of sci-fi speed metal in the early 80’s. KONTACT is not as speed oriented but has much of the same vibe as that long gone act. Their style is a kind of sub-thrash power metal mixed with sleaze rock and analog synth outbursts. The real sticking point for KONTACT are the lead vocals of The Alien, which not many are going to enjoy. He has a flat robotic tone that deliberately gets rid of almost all human nuance. It sounds like this Alien comes from a planet where the primary atmosphere is helium. I actually liked the approach because it’s so different to anything else in metal today, but I must admit, it wears out its welcome by the end of the album.
The shadow of the 80’s hangs over the music but in different ways. Cuts like “Emperor of Dreams” (a possible tribute to author Clark Ashton Smith?) and “Doppelganger” are fast, riffy belters in the best tradition of 80’s Metal Blade bands. One things for sure, the lead guitar work of Matt B1257+12 Z and Morh Morf Xela (get it?) is excellent and there’s plenty of it here. Then there are cuts like “Heavy Leather” and “Bloodchild” that seem to pay more homage to hair metal bands like ROUGH CUTT and RATT, but with a scifi twist. Dated sounding analog synth adds a cheesy atmosphere to all of it.
The only contemporary band I can compare to KONTACT is LEATHURBITCH from the Pacific Northwest. But even then, don’t expect them to sound that much alike. “Full Contact” is a pretty jamming record if you can take The Alien’s vocals. Extra points for being unique.