CoC : My Own Victim - Burning Inside : Review

My Own Victim - _Burning Inside_
(Century Media, 1995)
by: Gino Filicetti (7 out of 10)

Straight out of Louisville, Kentucky comes My Own Victim with their debut release which proves a point which I think many people tend to ignore, that metal and hardcore can and do mix. From the onset of this album it is evident that the band draws from many influences both metal and hardcore. The riffing is reminiscent of Sabbath style groove, and the vocals are the pure, unadulterated, agonized screams of hardcore origins. Every song on this album has that irresistable 'toe tappin' groove to it that makes listening an enjoyable experience. However, mid-way through this release, as a result of the shortness of the songs, I realized that there really wasn't a memorable track on here. I think the band should have beefed up some of their good tracks and cut out some of the mediocre ones; with 14 (plus one hidden) tracks in total, I don't think it is humanly possible to make one song that will stick in people's brains. However, this album still rocks and I can't get over the smoothness in which My Own Victim have successfully fused hardcore with metal. The one track that deserves mention is their (supposedly) last track, 'To Become One'. With devilishly conceived thrash riffs and peaking climax, it is one of the only tracks that really stuck in my mind. And to end things off, the album includes a hidden 15th track, a short but sweet frenzy of maniacal mayhem.

(article published 13/12/1995)