Looking at my CD promo copy from Earache Records for Biomechanical’s Cannibalised, I think the record company writes the review better than I ever could.

At the top it says, “Warning! Extreme Listening.” Is it ever. Biomechanical is so extreme your ears may not be able to handle it. Vocals, guitars and drums come from all directions—especially the vocals. Singer John K. alternates screams and Halford-like wailing at the same time in the same song, especially on the first three tracks, “Fallen in Fear,” “The Unseen” and the title track. And when I say they come from everywhere, they literally come from everywhere, to the point where you can’t keep track of everything. Things stop on “Breathing Silence,” which alternates between a gentle ballad, complete with strings and acoustic guitar, to a Pantera-style groove metal explosion. Then again, don’t say Earache didn’t tell you so: “Cannibalised is the sound of total turmoil, as the band re-create the definition of heaviness.” That is by no means false advertising.

So what do I make of Cannibalised? I’m not sure. It is heavy enough, flat-out kicking ass most of the time, with songs like the pummeling “Predatory.” “Slow the Poison” has kind of a symphonic black metal feel, which I dig. The record is a mess, but it’s supposed to be that way, so it’s hard to penalize Biomechanical for that. I liked Cannibalised in places, but a lot of the time I feel like there is too much going on for me to truly appreciate the record. These guys are talented players, but the double tracking of everything makes that hard to sort out. There were times when I wish the band would just slow down and let me enjoy the grooves or the speed of their attack.

Cannibalised ultimately is a solid album, but one that goes a little too far trying to be different. I like the originality and the heaviness of this album, but it tries too hard to be the most extreme thing on Earth.