CoC : Vortex - Colours Out From the Emptiness : Review

Vortex - _Colours Out From the Emptiness_
(Psychic Scream, 2001)
by: Brian Meloon (7 out of 10)

Judging from the music coming out of your speakers, you'd be tempted to say that Vortex are a European melodic death metal band, and this release is from the mid-to-late '90s. And of course, you'd be wrong, because Vortex are from Japan, and this disc was released in late 2001. The music is mostly thrashy death metal, with growled/shouted vocals, but they add some progressive touches, jazzy clean breaks, off-key male clean vocals, and some better-than-average guitar work in places. Their sound is not particularly original, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. Unfortunately, like most bands doing this style, they have trouble generating enough good material for a full album, and some songs are much better than others. Aside from the patchy quality of some of the songs, everything else is fine: the playing and production are top-notch. Ultimately, though, this is just an okay release. It's enjoyable, but not groundbreaking in any sense. I look forward to future releases from them though, as they clearly show some potential.

(article published 12/4/2002)

ALBUMS
1/15/2012	C Drishner	4.5	Vortex - Rockdrill