Kineto - Transform


Year of Release: 2005
Label: self-released
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 51:00:00

If you're looking for something different from the everyday in your metal listening, where the everyday is, of course, the dozens of clones out there trying to be the next whomever's-hot-at-the-moment, then here's something. While on the surface, I wouldn't say that they are a progressive rock or progressive metal band, when listening to the arrangements, it reveals a greater complexity than what hits you right away. This is, for all intents and purposes, a mix of progressive rock, progressive metal, alternative metal, and rock. While that in and of itself isn't unique, as there are other bands that do take the odd to heart, it is refreshingly different from the "yet-anothers."

Transform is not a pretty album; it's rather ugly in its fuzzed up guitars, raw, acid-corroded way. And if you are the least bit tired, it can be way too drowsy at times to be the thing to keep you alert, even if the tracks themselves are musically short bursts of bristling energy. Kineto are an American band, hailing from San Francisco, CA, and Transform is their first release. It may be that northern exposure that explains a vague hint of classic Metallica in their rhythms. Founder multi-instrumentalist Dan Menapace's main instrument is bass, and it is bass that is the main force at work here. Although that bass is played beneath distorted guitars (Rick Audet, Menapace) that are often unlike Metallica. There are even times when the band gets downright funky. That alone separates this group from the current metal "pack."

Sure, they chug like the b/rest of them (take "Solution Perfect" for example, or the slower, strutting chug of "Transit"). While there're no real guitar solo fireworks -- about the only examples of a guitar solo come in the sultry-sounding, throbbing "Pepper Spray," where guitar squeals, and as a slow-burn buzz saw in "Solution Perfect." One could even say there're no bass fireworks here, either, since everything is downplayed. But there is a dark and slinky solo in "World Under Pressure," for example So, it's not without solos, but don't expect Steve Vai. Everything's more subtle and downplayed. But? it's makes for a fascinating listen.

Like the modern horror film that you just can't look away from. For example, "Caveat Emptor" slithers like a horror film sound track. Could be because I just saw Saw on the Sci Fi Channel, but there's sort of that dark edginess here that modern horror films have. At least in their trailers; they all seem to be using metal/nu-metal energy and atmospheres to sell themselves, a raw grittiness that Kineto have in this piece, and truly throughout the album.

"Theorem" is characterized by a cool, funky bass line that opens and runs throughout (and ever-present guitars). It's a cool moment, making this piece, about Fermat's infamous Last Theorem, my second favorite track. It technically could be called an instrumental, though there are some vocals? more spoken than sung (by Forest Huggins). Although it's not much different than the other tracks on the album, at least in the long view, the slinky, moody "Transit" is my favorite. It's not a great track; I don't find any of them are exactly great - in that exalted way we call something great -- but there's something about this piece that I like. I don't have the lyrics handy -- as of this writing, their main site is unavailable and they aren't at their MySpace page -- but from what I can make out, which is mostly the chorus, I'd say this qualifies as love song. Not a slushy, mushy, gooey affair (whew), but more one of those that sorta asks, "why can't this be love?" (and not in a Van Halen way, either).

"World Under Pressure" reveals an alternative metal direction, that is present in the other tracks, but comes to the fore here on the third track. "Pesistence Of Vision." which I'm sure is a typo and should be "Persistence Of Vision," though "Pestilence Of Vision" would be a good title, too, given the raw buzz of this track, like a swarm of angry bees.

Exceptions to all this gloom are the lively and energetic "Human Upgrade," which is quite bass-happy and verily percolates and bubbles with enthusiasm -- certainly in contrast to the rest of the album -- and "Bruja," their sonic assault piece; metal to almost brutal proportions, yet not quite getting that abusive.

I'll also mention the last track, "The Sludge Chronicles," which would describe this album actually, and is an appropriate titled for this piece. Except that some of the vocalizations are almost subliminal, like some half-heard alien transmission (should I also say I was watching Stargate: Atlantis the other day, too?) and very effect laden. But, what will be surprising here is a melodic and "clean" guitar.

So? it's an album that you'll either love or not like very much, depending on whether you like your music sonically "clean" or "dirty." Part of this "dirty" aspect, however, means that the production also seems to be thin, tinny, most noticeable on the first track (so maybe that aspect is buried in layers of fuzz). It won't engender hate, though (except by the too fussy, I guess). Folks who like the slightly odd, hidden-meaning-laden and pointed prog rock of Mike Keneally, then you will appreciate Kineto (most especially the track "Subject To Change"). Also, there is a strong sense of "sameness" here, too. While too much variety seems scattershot, a little variety goes a long way to emphasizing the contrasts between songs. Your memory might just recall this album as one long indistinct buzz.

Also, I'll just say, for an album where you get the sense from snatches of lyrics that "punch through" that Menapace's trying to say something, to not have them printed in the booklet is unfortunately. I'm sure it was for budgetary reasons, this being a self-released title, but?


Tracklisting:
Viaduct / Solution Perfect / World Under Pressure / Transit / Theorem / Subject To Change / Caveat Emptor / Togremelas / Human Upgrade / Pepper Spray / Bruja / Pesistence Of Vision / The Sludge Chronicles

Musicians:
Dan Menapace - basses, samplers, additional guitars and vocals
Forest Huggins - vocals
Rick Audet - guitars
Noa Appleton - drums

Discography:
Kineto (2005)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: April 3rd 2007
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.kineto.net
Hits: 3048
Language: english

  

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