This is an extraordinary piece of independent music. Very few products issued by the “major labels” (or what’s left of them) could equal this either musically or physically. This debut CD is extremely well packaged with a starkly effective cover, a thick booklet with detailed lyrics and photography illustrating the story within and generally an extremely professional look. There is nothing cheap or sparse about the package or the music within.
Exhibition of Tendencies is a progressive metal duo hailing from Cedar Falls, Iowa, hardly known as a hotbed of alternative music. For their self-titled debut, they’ve come up with a well thought out and extremely grim concept album that flows well during its whole duration. If this story were any blacker, it would be the inside of a snake’s belly. It tells the tale of a disturbed young boy who is molested by a priest and uses that trauma to transform himself into a brutal outlaw during what seems to be a plague-ravaged future. It’s not “feel good” music at all, but Wade Anderson and Matt Glascock, who make up Exhibition of Tendencies, are meticulous in how the album is laid out and once again, the physical art accompanying the CD really enhances the whole experience.
Musically, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Exhibition of Tendencies is heavily inspired by Tool. The songs are extremely rhythmic and the ultra-heavy bass is the primary instrument, overwhelming the electric guitar. The tribal drum rhythms are present as well and the lead vocals have a nasal, robotic quality to them reminiscent of Tool’s Maynard James Keenan. At first listen, the vocals were a little off-putting but repeated listens demonstrated that the band made the right choice in using them.
The Tool resemblance starts right away with “Prelude” and continues throughout, but Exhibition of Tendencies is darker, heavier and more aggressive. There are occasional melodic or ambient interludes, but that bass is everywhere, pounding like a rhythmic jackhammer. The band also has a knack for catchy, quirky vocal lines, such as the memorable “Bury the bodies/bury the lives” refrain in “Bruegel’s Reality” or the repeated shouts of “Shun!Shun!” during “Shun”. One surprising addition to the EOT musical arsenal is the occasional appearance of brass instruments like trombone and saxophone, which add an off-kilter jazziness to the thumping assault
There’s a funky underpinning to a lot the songs as well, but as the album’s story becomes more violent and frenzied, so does the music. “The Compass” is a highlight, blasting away with hardcore thrash. The story reaches its grim climax with a three part epic, containing “Whore”, “Tendencies” and “Exhibition”. This is dark and relentless metal with no mercy.
The whole effort is exhausting to listen to and that might be its one drawback, with the overwhelming Tool resemblance perhaps being another. Some of the tracks tend to ramble a bit too much for their own comfort. But those are fairly minor quibbles. Exhibition of Tendencies is an exciting, draining example of alternative heavy metal at its darkest and most involving.
Review By Mike Korn
Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)
