Formerly known as BREAKDOWN, NEUROTIC were summoned in 1999 and have ever since kept the original line-up, which has largely contributed for the band’s cohesion. And the band line-up is, according to the press release and information on the album, Ângelo Rodrigues (guitar), Ino Detelic (bass & vocals), João Guerreiro (vocals) and Marco Reis (drums). The first and only time
I saw them live, I could not help noticing that there have been changes in the band’s format, as Ino was the only vocalist and João took over the bass.
The first time I looked at the promotional pack (in which the band has invested significantly, particularly in their care for a decent presentation: hand-printed colour cover and back cover with excellent quality, careful design, a complete press release, etc.), the cover brought me back memories of ‘ancient times’ when THE FIRSTBORN released The Rebirth of Evil, for the graphics were somewhat similar – and the title consequently took this impression further. However, musically there is not much resemblance – in fact, there is no resemblance at all.
The Rebirth of Sin starts off with Prayers of Sin, which also happens to be one of my favourite tracks, for its variation, speed and heaviness. The more I listen to The Rebirth of Sin, the more I detect some NEVERMORE-inspired ambiences (Dreaming Neon Black era), especially in the guitars and rhythmic variations (whether in Prayers of Sin or in Dark Light). The band’s music, chiefly characterised by metal heaviness with good rhythmic variation and a powerful drummer, also evokes old FEAR FACTORY, but that is only an approximation for you to have an idea. It is not about cloning or copying.
They are NEUROTIC and their music is their own. And they are distinctly DEATH METAL to the bone! That includes the beautiful solo on New Human Machine, the brief MORBID ANGEL-like beginning of Deformed and many other peculiar aspects to the album. The only setback is the lack of variation in the vocal register, which might indulge to tediousness every now and then. The average track is 4-5 minutes, and this includes the many 7-8 minute long anthems. Each song is therefore an episode in complexity.
As far as production goes, the band themselves have arranged their sound and it is notorious their (Ângelo’s) knowledge in this field. He seems to know what he is doing, for he has managed to capture a powerful, replenished sound with clearly perceptible individual instruments and the necessary amount of heaviness. As producers, NEUROTIC have passed the test and, as musicians, they have certainly surpassed expectations, bringing together DM, technique and quality without much effort.
The layout is I suppose professionally printed, but the promo packs were not neglected: the band has sent a high quality hand-printed full coloured booklet and the layout has been the responsibility of SpoonArt Communications (by the time of its making, they were officially responsible for FEAR FACTORY’s website). Compulsory in our collection.
Official Site Neurotic | Myspace Neuroticband
Neurotic – Deformed