INVITRO

"When I was a Planet" (Gridiron; 2007)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Featuring ex-Snot and Soulfly axeman Mikey Doling, Invitro's debut 14-track collection is an unabashed and chaotic rollercoaster ride steeped in all things aggressive whose Faith No More comparisons be damned. (Yes, it is very apparent that this quintet cares a lot for Mike Patton and company, with the especially-aped vocals leading tracks like the exquisite SOAD punk rock joyride of "Balloon" and the frenetic opener "New Disease.")

Thankfully, there's more to Invitro than being a tribute band, as the vast musical prowess dropped on this disc zooms past the cookie cutter sameness the rest of the pack wallows in at warped speed. Emblazoned with the bizarre type of musical mania which allows for their bastardized hybrid of punk, metal, and carnival music to coexist in perfect cacophony, Invitro keeps you on your toes with sharp tempo shifts, unorthodox stylistic clashings, and bursts of surprisingly harmonious parts that could pass for The Beach Boys remixed via Ministry on the title cut. 

With unbridled intensity and a furious determination to defy the rules of heavy music, this troupe maintains the vibes of madness throughout the course of WIWAP, creating a raucous din that demands attention ("Hollyvision") while sneaking memorably melodic yet left-of-center ditties through along the way ("Lucid May"). 

Even though it's pretty easy to find where Invitro draws inspiration from, the eclectic musical journey this squad sends you on transcends the obvious but above all, comes across as genuine as five unique musicians making the best music they can does. 

Invitro: Jeff Weber - Vocals; Mikey Doling - Guitar; Mike Pygmie - Guitar; Brad Dujmovic - Bass; Benny Cancino - Drums.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/invitrorules.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

Back to CD Reviews Home

Back to RoughEdge.com Home

Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 19 Mar 2024 18:35:43 -0500 .