The Demo Review:
The Council
Artist: The Council
Band Members: Dave (vocals), James Pastore (guitars/ back up vocals), Michael Gardner (guitars), Steve "OG" Williams (drums), Mike Ottovich (bass)
Location: Sacramento, CA
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    		• There are currently 1 Reviews of this Demo.
    Average Rating: 4

    Death's Review:
    The Council are a well-produced, polished and professional sounding metal act from Northern California. At times sounding very much like Pantera, at others a lot like Machine Head, still others very much like Tool, The Council cover a lot of important, yet well-tread, bases. Nevertheless, accusations of unoriginality are quelled somewhat by the presence of "Dave," the striped and masked vocalist with a throat full of nails (sounding like a cross between Anselmo, old Blitz ("I Want Out") and the sports talk dude Ferrell, who I think is now doing a Saturday morning "American Gladiators" type of show or something -- the musical equivalent would be someone like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones singer, I suppose -- check out the "I'm all ready to go" parts of "I Want Out.") Further originality shines through in the often sexually charged lyrics ("Freaky on the Fly" -- love the sampled woman's voice talking about getting caught having sex in the woods and such), and effective production.

    Still, the riffs, while well-executed, can be a bit tedious ("Pokerface.") That said, the riffing in "Twice," particularly the slower but intricately picked middle part pre-solo, is some of the coolest stuff I've heard on any record this year, demo or otherwise. If the Council can add some more of a refined flavor and additional elements to their obvious natural personality on subsequent efforts, they will go far. Until then, this CD will certainly do. And, it is surely clear from reviewing these materials that The Council is probably a fantastic live act. Check them out if you can.
    4 out of 5
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