CoC : Engine - Superholic : Review

Engine - _Superholic_
(Metal Blade, 2002)
by: Aaron McKay (6.5 out of 10)

I have gone back and forth on my opinion of this follow up to Engine's 1999 self-tilted debut [CoC #44]. There is nothing earth-shattering on _Superholic_, but I will compliment its forward progression and continuation toward diversity on this disc. "I Know" hits pretty hard and plods along heavily all throughout the song's three minutes and forty-nine second play time. As the third track, "I Know" winds up being the origination point of my interest in this outfit's second offering, _Superholic_; from there it is hit 'n' miss. You might expect nice bass lines on this album from "Mr. Low End", Joey Vera, and you'd be right. You also might expect thick guitar riffs from Bernie Versailles and you'd again be correct. Fans of incrementally intense drumming will be disappointed, but Pete Parada gets the job done nonetheless. My beef, as it turns out, lies with Ray Alder. I would opt for making Engine a three piece and turning over the vocal duties to Vera if I had my way. As a matter of fact, after hearing _No Exit_, I didn't feel any real strong desire purchase any more Fates Warning albums. While I can appreciate Alder's style, I've always thought Ray Gillen of Badlands (r.i.p.) rendered a better presentation. Everything considered, I have always much preferred the gravely and guttural styles to a clean delivery. _Superholic_ is your basic well-played metal. Nothing fancy or trend-setting, but better than average in the "enjoyability" category.

(article published 5/4/2003)

ALBUMS
12/9/1999	A McKay	4	Engine - Engine