CoC : Unusual Sickness - Sounds of a Shattered Soul : Review

Unusual Sickness - _Sounds of a Shattered Soul_
(Nuclear Blast / PHD, 1999)
by: Adrian Bromley (5 out of 10)

A little uneasy at times, Unusual Sickness kicks out the jams as we have heard so many times before. With a sound reminiscent of old school Slayer/Metallica mixed with the modern Bay Area thrash sounds of Machine Head / Skinlab (though lesser in influence), it doesn't take long for the band to sound familiar. Oh, the joy! At many times throughout this Mexican trio's record did I think I was actually listening to a Slayer disc. Sounds flattering, I guess, but also a real knock on their own material, eh? I don't know... I am just thinkin' it's great and all to show respect to metal pioneers, but striving to work someone else's material seems a little wrong and no doubt boring. Good for a few licks here and there, Unusual Sickness takes on a more "usual" metal sound as the record finishes up. Despite the less than spectacular review, I must say some of those guitar riffs smoke more than President Bill Clinton's cigar.

Contact: Unusual Sickness, Nicolas San Juan 1340,

(article published 12/8/1999)