Band:	Eminence
Album:	Humanology
Style:	Death metal, Deathcore
Release date:	August 2003

01. B.O.H.1 (Intro)
02. Evolution
03. Overload
04. Humanology
05. Citizen Zero
06. 6ix Degrees
07. Greenspirit
08. Like I Hate You
09. Greedy As A Pig
10. Leech 9
11. The Freak I Become
12. Creep
13. Democrasick
14. Onefortyfive
15. Hawking Radiation
16. Coward
17. 17253017

Eminence (and not Eminem? sorry I couldn't resist) is the kind of band that leaves you empty and tired once you've played their album. The music is so intense that you just can't have even only one second of rest before the next attack. No, it's not black metal, not even death, Humanology is a new offering in this most popular genre that is thrashcore (but very very very aggressive). Nothing new under the sun, these guys (including Jairo Guetz, co-founder and original guitarist of Sepultura) know what they have to do to keep you interested, even if they have to use all the tricks typical of this type of metal.

Humanology is an album for air guitar players and for those who want to headbang and jump around their room without having to think. Eminence's thrashcore is brutal and efficient. It's not always very intelligent, but it works pretty well all along the hour of Humanology. The first track 'Evolution' sets the pace, with furious thrashy riffs sometimes almost hardcore, simply an invitation to headbang. It's quickly followed by great riffing (again) on tracks such as 'Like I Hate You', 'Leech 9' 'The Freak I Become' or 'Democrasick'. The vocals are very aggressive and remind me of bands like Hatesphere. Don't expect clean vocals, not even once on a chorus. This album is an ode to brutality. There is not the slightest ounce of melody, but we're not here for that, right?

The most melodic tracks I've found are the ones that resemble a bit Soulfly ('6ix Degrees', 'Humanology'). Sometimes some atmospheres can also remind of Slipknot ('Citizen Zero'). But after that, here come the headbanging riffs again, and everything seems to flow naturally. This album has a great unity, and no song departs from this directing line. On the one hand, that's one of the qualities of Humanology, but on the other hand, there is no real variety on this album. All tracks sound a bit too much alike (but which band wouldn't repeat itself over seventeen songs?). They use quite the same framework over and over again?

So yes, it's a good album, very efficient in its genre, and the best way to appreciate it is with a beer in hand, while chatting with metalhead friends. But it's not the kind of album you'll need if you really want to be transported by the music. It's too long and too repetitive to be really something to remember, despite some moments of great headbanging. Anyway, it's still a good call to start this spring with.

Highlights: Evolution, Humanology, The Freak I Become, Democrasick