Havok - Unnatural Selection review
| Band: | Havok |
| Album: | Unnatural Selection |
| Style: | Thrash metal |
| Release date: | June 25, 2013 |
| A review by: | D.T. Metal |
01. I Am The State
02. Give Me Liberty... Or Give Me Death
03. It Is True
04. Under The Gun
05. Waste Of Life
06. Living Nightmare
07. Chasing The Edge
08. Worse Than War
09. Children Of The Grave [Black Sabbath cover]
10. Unnatural Selection
The media usually dubs a third album release as the "make it, or break it" point in a bands career. Havok's third album Unnatural Selection won't do either of those. A quote, albeit modified, by the great Doc Godin in regards to their prior album (Time Is Up) might explain some of the difficulties I had while reviewing their latest piece.
"...I was really stoked on
There, I said it - average, as in I expected more. Not saying the new album is bad, it actually grew on me, but maybe Havok set the bar too high with their 2011 release Time Is Up and that's why I expected more this time around; who knows. But one thing is for sure; they did evolve from their earlier sound, but if this is a good thing has yet to be determined.
Unnatural Selection does start off pretty strong while being very gratifying to the ear. Not so much to the neck muscles - be forewarned, head-banging guarantied. The guitar riffs and solos alike, while nothing groundbreaking, are what you would expect to hear on a thrash album. But then Unnatural Selection turns a bit - "unnatural".
While Sanchez, as well as Scruggs, do prove over and over again that they clearly are the masters of their axes, the songs structures and overall sense of listening to thrash does turn to a more modern version of the genre. Things pick back up with "Chasing The Edge"; short, sweet, awesome solo, and we are back on track. Well, almost. While the follower "Worse Than War" has a killer and very memorable lead riff, the song in itself could be faster.
After throwing in a Black Sabbath cover the album does ends on a strong note. The title track reminds us once again that Havok is actually a thrash band. But, since the bulk of the album is somewhat mid-tempo driven I wouldn't be surprised if some "thrash elitists" won't give Unnatural Selection a fair chance.
Don't get me wrong; the musicianship is superb. The shredding is, as expected, good old Havok style. Their newly acquired bassist Mike Leon (The Absence) is not only a virtuoso on his 4-string but his plugging is very heavy in the mix throughout the entire album; "Under The Gun" just one of many examples. Sometimes though it feels that Havok didn't use Pete Webber's abilities to their fullest since the drumming is not as demanding on some songs. But then again; a drum solo on "I Am The State"? Hmmm, that caught me of guard.
David Sanchez tried some different vocal styles on this release as well. While the majority of the album does feature his thrashier style of singing on "Waste Of Life" Dave Mustai ?. eh Sanchez throws in some clean as well as shouting spurts. Verdict is still out on this one.
In all, the album is not bad and it does grow on you. Yes, it is extreme modern sounding. Yes, I still believe their prior one was better. No, I don't believe Havok lost their edge. I look at Unnatural Selection as the "rambunctious teenager" in their discography; a time to explore and experiment.
 | Written on 21.06.2013 by Former boss lady. Now just a professional concertgoer... dangerously armed with a camera! |
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Comments: 48
Visited by: 376 users
| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101  |
Interesting review. It confirms what I suspected this release would be like after listening to the single they released through Bandcamp earlier this month. I still plan to give it a chance though since you say it is a grower. 
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~ 
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| Sunioj Posts: 3894  |
Really enjoyed the previous album, but will be sure to give this a spin. Didn't even know they had a new album, thanks for the review.
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989  |
I never really did see what all the fuss was about over Time Is Up back in 2011, it was good but nothing like the impression Black Future left on me. I will be giving this a listen though, just for the sake of seeing what these guys are up to. Also, I'll definitely be checking out that Children of the Grave cover, Master Of Reality was always my favorite album from the Ozzy era.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Mattybu Posts: 2589  |
Nice review, sounds like a nice little album and if nothing else won't be disappointing. and Time Is Up was a fuckin ripper as well so it doesnt have to be on that level to be good xD
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573  |
Actually it was my review of Time is up quoting Doc Godin
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| D.T. Metal Staff Posts: 4193  |
Written by K✞ulu on 22.06.2013 at 11:41 I know, but it still was Doc's quote in regards to the album 
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| Rulatore Posts: 1108  |
Dat quote. Nice review, I''m actually dissapointed before listening it, just by reading this.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Actually thid album doesn't surprise me at at all, since this is the sort of thrash Havok have been playing all along. Tired uninspired nrevivalist thrash that can't hold a candle up to the originals.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Ace Frawley The Spaceman Posts: 1459  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 23.06.2013 at 01:45 I can't comment on this album because I couldn't be bothered with it but the only album by Havok that I got was Time Is Up and I thought it was average, so I agree with your sentiment that they play revivalist thrash that is a pale imitation of the original movement.
---- The sun shines over The Fool...
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7562  |
Time is Up brought them the recognition, no doubt about it. If someone says "it's average" I have to strongly disagree on that. Time was a great record with some amazing riffs and that sets the bar fucking high for them. I haven't heard Unnatural yet but I'll still say "if they come close to Time is Up, their job is decently done". Now, in comparisons they're far behind but still they're growing. From their one off the new track streaming on bandcamp, i was disappointed for what they come up with. Let's see about this album.
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| Malignar Posts: 285 |
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
I acquired the album earlier this morning and have jammed on my breaks and such at work throughout the day, it's better than I thought it would be, which pleases me greatly, but Time Is Up is still better imo.
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by psykometal on 25.06.2013 at 02:33 Since you're such a fan of a band try and explain to me why I am wrong with my opinion that evrythng this band did was just mediocre at best and totally not enticing. Keep in mind I grew up with the stuff the stuff these guys try to copy but in my opinion fail dismally at,
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 25.06.2013 at 03:08 I think you quoted the wrong person, Marcel. I never accused you of being wrong about Havok or thrash... 
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Written by psykometal on 25.06.2013 at 03:50 Either that or he's drunk.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by psykometal on 25.06.2013 at 03:50 that 'wrong' wasn't directed at you for calling me that considering Havok, because you , indeed, never said that. But it was more generally directed towards everyone who seems to think band is oh so brilliant and actually called people wrong for thinking Havok is nothing special at all. All I wanted to hear from you as a fan of the band what your reason is for immensely enjoying this, imo, mediocre thrash revivalist band. So, maybe I can understand what goed on in the brains of Havok fans
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 25.06.2013 at 16:55 You couldn't have explained that in your quote...?  The reason I enjoy Havok is the same base reason anybody likes any particular band/album/genre, the music sounds good to me and when each successive track ends I find myself wanting to continue listening to the next track, and then when the album ends I find myself wanting to listen to it all over again.
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 25.06.2013 at 11:37 Well that's what I kinda figured at first is that he was drunk and meant to quote Cynic or one of these chuckleheads hating on the Havok/revivalist thrash detractors.
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by psykometal on 25.06.2013 at 17:52 when I wrote that post I thought it would be crystal clear as to what I meant, but apparently it wasn't
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 25.06.2013 at 17:55 Must be Dutch logic...
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7562 |
Written by psykometal on 25.06.2013 at 17:54 I hate Havok? Woah, how you came to that conclusion?
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 02.07.2013 at 10:55 Wasn't trying to say you were a hater, was supposed to be perceived as "Cynic or a hater".
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7562 |
From the next time, use small c to refer cynic. 
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 02.07.2013 at 20:26 No I meant Cynic as in you (Cynic Metalhead), but I wasn't meaning to incinuate that you are a hater. Marcel's comment appeared to be talking to either you, as a fanboy trying to hate on him, or maybe he meant to quote somebody else in the thread who IS a hater. 
---- ~Zep, Database and Forum Moderation~
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7562 |
I never attacked Marcel on Havok case, although I attack him on different cases when he's insanely drunk and type some random shit. His comments must be on a "newbies" who drilled 10 without listening to the new record. I, certainly, not one of them.
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| psykometal A staff guy... Elite Posts: 6101 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 03.07.2013 at 17:08 Well I know that now. But at the time of my post I didn't.
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