The Demo Review:
Band Name: Hectorite
Demo Title: Subliminal Torment
Band Members: Klas Wiklund - vocals; Peter Stromqvist - guitar; Roger Bergsten - guitar; Niklas Sundstrom - bass; Olle Groth - drums
Location: Sundsvall, Sweden

Rating: 3 Skulls

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    • Goatwhore's Review:
    Sweden's Hectorite has been around since 2000, and Subliminal Torment is their third demo, and it's a fine one at that, to say the least. The only drawback (it's a BIG one): this band has yet to find its own identity.

    This is a vicious slab of chugga-chugga, bang your head 'til your neck really hurts metal with a futuristic feel and a touch . . . or two . . . or three of their influences. Namely, Subliminal Torment is filthy with the residue of Meshuggah (with their off time riffing - yet the very skilled drumming is very straightforward, for the most part) and Fear Factory. Great bands they are, but when I want to hear Meshuggah and Fear Factory, I can listen to Meshuggah and Fear Factory.

    And they may or may not have been a direct influence, but Hectorite's death thrash sound similar, at times, to those great Canadian experimental thrash gods Voivod.

    Beyond their influences, unfortunately, is a repetitive approach to early nineties aggro-metal, with the only difference being that there is a very modern sounding production job. For a four song demo, everything sounds far too same-y than it should. At this stage of the game, I would hate to hear the monotony of a full length from these guys.

    I am being extremely critical of these guys, but I'm a picky metal fan. As clichéd as this sounds (and this really isn't a mercy compliment thrown in so that Hectorite's members don't commit suicide), they do have "potential." But listen up guys, potential that isn't realized is just a waste of time and energy, so please, shed your influences, diversify your songs, and challenge yourselves. Until you do that, you won't be able to challenge your listeners.
    3 out of 5

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