Tension

Noise Therapy: Rob Thiessen (vocals, bass); Dave Ottoson (vocals); Kai (guitar); Bobby James (drums).
Producers: Mike Plotnikoff, Igor, Mike Wanchic, Rhys Fulber.
Personnel: Rob Thiessen (vocals); Kai (guitar); Bobby James (drums).
Audio Mixer: Mike Plotnikoff.
Recording information: Greenhouse Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Morning View Studios, Malibu, CA.
Noise Therapy attempts to spice up its chunky rap-metal with a healthy dose of melody on Tension, the band's first full-length album in four years. Although the riffing is still reminiscent of 1995-era Korn, the band offers some strong choruses and vocal lines throughout the album. Check out the grandiose power metal wailing on "G-Hole," and compare that to the rather generic approach of Noise Therapy's older songs. The band has learned how to incorporate more singing, an important development that improves its sound greatly. A few moody moments step away from the thrashing, offering a brooding and lush tension that recalls A Perfect Circle or classic Life of Agony. This is most apparent on "Inside," a roaring anthem of reflection that stands as the best song on the album. This emotional element is what keeps this from turning into faceless chugging, delivering a solid batch of metal songs that offer memorable hooks and passionate singing. ~ Bradley Torreano