CoC : g/z/r - Plastic Planet : Review

g/z/r - _Plastic Planet_
(TVT, 1995)
by: Alain M. Gaudrault (7 out of 10)

Being a huge Black Sabbath fan, I just couldn't resist picking up this Geezer Butler side project. This is easily the heaviest release ever produced by any member of his former group. He's hooked up with Deen Castronovo on drums (who also appears on Ozzy Osbourne's latest, _Ozzmosis_), Pedro Howse on guitars, and Burton C. Bell on vocals. Fans of Fear Factory will recognize Bell's name, and are encouraged to give this album a listen. While the songs have a modern metal/industrial feel, Sabbath stylings appear throughout. Bell's vocals are more melodic than they are on any of Fear Factory's releases, and give the songs an almost gothic touch. Unfortunately, the melodies don't sound distinct enough from one song to another to make them stand out, which is my main beef with this album. Geezer's bass is fortunately prominent and adds greatly to the overall sound, which is surprisingly fresh and interesting, seeing as Butler's not done much else than Black Sabbath for the last 25 years. In fact, he is credited for both music (with Howse) and lyrics. _Plastic Planet_ is a valiant effort from a pioneer in heavy metal, but readers are cautioned to give it a listen before buying, as it won't necessarily appeal to ALL Sabbath/Ozzy fans, or Fear Factory fans.

(article published 8/11/1995)

ALBUMS
8/12/1996	G Filicetti	7	g/z/r - Cycle of Sixty/x13