The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: Cycle of Pain
Artist: Havochate
Label: Indecent Media
Release Date: 2/15/05

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Behemoth (5/6/05):
    It was quite a weekend at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival; definitely recommend the show to any serious fans out there. The head is still a bit fuzzy, but won't bore with the details. One of the most interesting finds, courtesy of Mike Mazur, of Mazur PR, a new release from Havochate. To be honest at first glance, wasn't overly excited because the last time I saw them in New Jersey, I wasn't impressed. However, listening to the album on the way home, it was if Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnik were along for the ride and they weren't invited! The mystery was solved later upon discovering bassist Greg Christian was formerly with Testament, i.e. the connection to the glorious days of Practice What You Preach. What really sets the band off is the new lead singer (Tim Bouchee) with his dynamic demonic range, hitting high-register notes their formal vocalist dreams about. The vocal juxtaposition between low and high ends is both powerful and reassuring that someone still understands the way it needs to be done. The transitions and melodic segues produce a flowing effort that is practically seamless and the bottom end is molded well between the bass of Christian (no pun) and the drum kit.

    To digress for a moment - interesting to note their debut release This Violent Earth, (2001) was mixed by none other than James Murphy, i.e. Death (RIP). Now back to the subject matter, building off that platform Cycle of Pain breathes new blood into the pale sounding metal business. Would Rob Halford and Ozzy Osbourne just please die! Overall, this record has both fast and mid-tempo tracks featuring the bands commanding technical guitar styles. Lyrically speaking the concepts are positively and darkly lit. The record features a number of similar consistent grooves witnessed in "Fiction," "Still Alive" and "Wicked" - aren't we all?

    In the notable corner, the band has opened for Motorhead and will no doubt be playing plenty of live sets in the near future. Havochate have learned their craft well demonstrated by their vision and fire brought to the forefront. Havochate a great day!
    3 out of 5

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