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By JEFF MAKI
With Error in Evolution, One Man Army and the Undead Quartet have now released two albums in the last two years that are as strong as iron. The impressive debut, 21st Century Killing Machine, is a hard act to follow, but Johan Lindstrand, former vocalist of The Crown, gathered his troops and actually had this album recorded at the end of 2006. Adding heavier, more memorable riffs and further showing their allegiance to classic thrash and death metal, One Man Army are unholy soldiers for all that is metal.
Error in Evolution picks up where 21st Century Killing Machine left off, except, much like a sequel, we get more guts, more blood and the body count is higher. Evidence is on “Knights In Satan's Service.” You wouldn't think a chorus chant of "K-I-S-S, K-I-S-S" would sound villainous, but it's the band's new calling. The opener, “Mine for the Taking,” is amped-up old school Megadeth—an ode to thrash metal. The lyrics of “Such a Sick Boy”--“Such a sick boy/shot himself in the head/such a sick boy/now he's dancing with the dead"--sound even more sadistic coming from Lindstrand. The thrash metal fury of “The Sun Never Shines” is heavier than anything from the debut album, with pummeling low-end guitar riffs from start to finish. The mid-paced death march of “See Them Burn" is on par with Morbid Angel or Kataklysm. Topped off by a brutal headbanging breakdown, this is the centerpiece of the album. Lindstrand has a love of '80s horror and action movies, so naturally (or maybe unnaturally) a cover of Alice Cooper's “He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)” from Friday the 13th Part VI is included here. It's what you'd expect: a heavier, death metal version of the horror movie anthem, and it's a must-hear. The album's only flaw is that Lindstrand's vocals are an extremely low growl and sometimes blend in with the nonstop guitar attack.
Error in Evolution is one deadly, venomous song after another. It's a pure fucking metal album, but something you can have a lot of fun with. Lindstrand and company show their love for classic Megadeth, Metallica and Morbid Angel, upping the ante and shock value. The '80s appeal and accessibility will bring a smile and a sore neck to longtime headbangers like me. If enough people hear this, One Man Army will have their own metal army of loyal followers. Until then, Error in Evolution will have stereo speakers trembling in fear when they see the CD heading into the player.
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