Artist: Full Scale
Label: Columbia Records
Release Date: 5/8/05
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Full Scale Artist: Full Scale Label: Columbia Records Release Date: 5/8/05
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Goatwhore (11/8/05):
With their self-titled release, Australia’s Full Scale brings powerful and evocative hard rock to the masses via Columbia Records. An argument can be made that there are traces of nu-metal, but it would be flawed. The fact of the matter is that they truly are an eclectic, unique hard rock band blessed with strong song-writing prowess and unmistakable talent.The fact that Full Scale is unique is worth stopping and thinking about. How many times do you hear run-of-the-mill or even great bands that wear their influences on their sleeves? All the time, I’m sure. But Full Scale brings its member’s individual personalities into the mix and the end result is a blistering combination that sounds like no other...a case where the sum is greater than its parts.
The fact that vocalist Ezekiel “Zeke” Ox raps is the only reason that some lazy, hack-handed critics may lump the band into the nu-metal waste bin. Their press release equally misrepresents them by tying them to Rage Against the Machine. The only manner in which Rage is a point of reference lies in the fact that both acts are edgy, guitar bands featuring vocalists who can rap the message of socio-political, liberal activism. If we would like to measure up the two bands, Full Scale is without a doubt far better musically and vocally (though Tom Morello wins in the guitar category). Speaking of guitars, Full Scale’s Jimmy Tee brings a 90s style of aggressive metal into the mix. But make no mistake. Full Scale sounds like no one. And not to be too redundant, but no one sounds like Full Scale.
Speaking of Rage, unlike Zack de la Rocha’s limited (though likeable and proficient) capabilities, Full Scale’s Ox possesses an arsenal replete with a lengthy range of melodic vocals, occasional screams, mid-range yelling, and white boy rapping...think Mike Patton rather than Vanilla Ice. Somewhat comically yet unique and differentiating is Ox’s Aussie accent while rapping.
Anyway...etching itself into your gray matter upon only a few listens, Full Scale has a charm, a certain ability that is lost on most bands that are cluttering the airwaves. There is an almost hypnotic quality to their music that is deeply entrenched into the songs. They aren’t just catchy. They’re really on to something here. I hope that these guys stick together and continue to challenge themselves. We’ll all be better off for it if they do.
Most of the missing skull in my rating for Full Scale can actually be attributed to the production value. In some areas it’s enjoyable, but its over-polished, sterile quality takes away from a band that I’m sure has something to offer in the live setting.
Considering the talent on hand, I’ll be expecting even more, much more, when they release a follow up. It’s obvious that this band is still finding its way, but the sky is the limit.
In the past, my musical taste was satiated by Australians like AC-DC, of course, and Damaged, among others. But there is a new flavor that I’ll be craving from down under.
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