Human Chaos EP [November 2004]

Publication: Phride
Reviewer: Joseph Akkawi
Country: United Arab Emirates

"The long awaited effort of local Deathcore act Nervecell have finally come through and I can say nothing except the fact that this has got to be one of the best local metal releases since Abhorred's 'The Empires Fall' EP. Nervecell have come a long way and the results speak for themselves. I will try to outline the release as much as I can.

First of all, this has got to be Kiran's best work. The amount of time on mixing and mastering this CD are well deserved and the finishing touches on all the tracks are nicely done yet there are some stuff that I think could have been done better, but that's what I personally like. I'm sure the band mixed the way they most saw fit.

Track 1: Signs of the End
The opening track really sets the listener in perspective to what is coming his/her way. The track really reminds me of some old school death metal. Very catchy opening and the disharmony in the verse riff is a clear Cannibal Corpse/Opeth influence yet it is not copying them in any way. Half the way through the song, the boys bring on the melody. The middle part is a progressive area reeking with a mixture of aggressive drums and early At the Gates melodies. The solo on the song also paves the way to Rami’s genius use of the Harmonic Minor scale to add an Arabic touch to the song.

Track 2: Vastlands of Abomination
Most of you will remember the song from the early Phride archives. Yet the song has been slowed down and the middle part with Arabic “Qanoon” has been removed, but don’t worry. The guitars make up for the middle section. My only complaint about this song is the fast rolls on the drums. I think some more work had to be added on the drums rolls in terms of creativity and the final mix. This song might remind people of Sepulture specifically when the middle break comes in. Has got to be my favorite riff on the CD. Alan has done a splendid job to build a crescendo for the song’s outro. You can also hear Rajeh’s balls screaming in this song. Very good vocal work.

Track 3: The Darkened
My personal favorite! Fans of Death, Arch Enemy and Testament Rejoice! This song is for you. This song has the most amount of hardcore influence in it. Lots of time changes on this track, a very good drum track, evil riffs and crazy double bass action. Again my complaint on this song is the outro double bass roll. Again, I think some more work should have been done on the layout of the actual drums. The middle break of the song with the solos is an extremely creative peace of guitar work. Then the melodic riffs break in again making it a very catchy middle section, yet a bit disappointing on the actual transition back to the main riff.

Track 4: Human Chaos
A masterpiece literally! Next time Nervecell plays this song live, make sure you are in the front headbanging till your balls fall off. This is some crazy work of metal. Rajeh’s vocals really shine on this one. Very deep and powerful. The verse riff is a slap in the face. Lots of groovy brakes in the song and lots of time changes making it a very dynamic song with lots of mood swings. Blasts, Drilling, double bass rolls and lots of groovy hand work. The middle part of the song is a huge “And Justice For All - Metallica” meets “The Jester Race – In Flames”. Then the solo comes. I can easily say Rami made the guitar cry and made me cry with it. Haha. It’s a very well thought of solo and extremely emotional. Then when you have climaxed to the notes another slap comes as the outro riff builds the ending of the song very well to a gorgeous acoustic ending. Definitely the best composed, recorded, sung and played song on the CD.

Track 5: Demolition
The Nervecell classic now on CD! An awesome groovy track with a very huge Pantera influence. This song will easily fit on “Cowboys from Hell” yet with an extra touch. The middle break of the song is a very death metal/doom style with very fast blasts then a slow tempo. Although a good song, I would have to say that this song does not shine on the CD as much as the other 4 songs yet towards the middle the song breaks out into the craziest solo on the CD.

This being said, I am not even 1% disappointed with this release. Really wish the best for the Nervecell boys and I really hope they get somewhere with this because the deserve it. I don’t approve of ratings, but if I was to rate this CD I will easily give it a B+ for a debut CD. Good fucking job guys. At least some pride in the scene.

Now what the fuck are you waiting for? CALL RAMI AND GET YOUR COPY NOW!!!"