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By GREG MAKI
If you’ve seen Invitro live—and many of you probably have since they’ve spent most of 2007 on the road with the likes of Sevendust, Static-X, HellYeah and the Family Values Tour—the tin-foil masks undoubtedly grabbed your attention first. But don’t stop there; Invitro has a lot to offer musically, as well.
The band features in its ranks former Snot/Soulfly guitarist Mikey Doling. Last year, he produced genre-hopping albums by Mower and Divided by Zero, so it’s not a surprise that he would take a similar approach with his own band. Influences include punk, hardcore, thrash, even a little New Wave on the title track, “When I Was a Planet.” There is a manic energy about the album that allows it to pack 14 songs into 36 minutes. It comes from vocalist Jeff Weber and the rhythm section of drummer Benny Cancino and bassist Brad Dujmovic, and it’s tempered by the driving riffs from Doling and fellow axeman Mike Pygmie. It almost feels like there is a clash of styles within the band and that is precisely what gives Invitro its unique sound.
This is a fun, refreshing band that doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evidenced by the goofy live show. It might be a little off-putting or distracting if you aren’t ready for it. Take a moment to check out When I Was a Planet and you’ll see there is more to the band than that. Then go to a show and have a blast.
Standout tracks: “When I Was a Planet,” “Stitches,” “Three-D,” “Shark Attack”
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