Band:	Wicked Wisdom
Album:	Wicked Wisdom
Style:	Nu metal
Release date:	2006
A review by:	Jeff

01. Yesterday Don't Mean
02. Something Inside Of Me
03. One
04. Bleed All Over Me
05. Cruel Intentions
06. You Can't Handle
07. Forgiven
08. Set Me Free
09. Don't Hate Me
10. Reckoning

Do you know who is Jada Pinkett Smih? No? Hoo come on, I'm sure that you already saw her in movies like Matrix or in the harms of her "Hip Hop husband" Will Smith? Is it ok? Do you remember now? Hehe great, so don't worry we will not talk about movies or Hip Hop today but about Metal, most especially about her band Wicked Wisdom and about their first album "Wicked Wisdom". If you're curious, maybe that you should read this review but be aware (like Jean-Claude (yeah I have the feeling that I must talk about famous actors today?)) that it is a NU Metal release? Ho and in the style, I saw a lot of worst things actually?

Wicked Wisdom is maybe a NU Metal band, especially in reason of the voice of Jada and in reason of some melodies but it's not an easy "commercial" NU Metal. Also, of course even if we have a female singer, it's not a new Evanescence so, don't even expect any symphonic or gothic aspect in this music. We're simply more into Hardcore and such things with powerful heavy riffs in general. Well, it's not exceptionally original and to be honest I think that the voice of Jada Smith could be better. At least, her way to sing could be better because if she is able to produce some interesting "Thrashy" voices or even some Death ones (yes!) in general she is too sweet and her way to say words instead of to sing them is not so good and can be a bit boring. On the other hand, if the songs are a bit basic and not so original, I must confess that it's not so horrible. It's powerful and the performance of Phillip "Fish" (Fishbone) Fisher with the drums is simply impressive. Plus it's catchy in general and a song like "You Can't Handle" with its fast tempo, aggressive riffs and strong bass lines is better than a lot of NU Metal basic compositions.

I have to say that this album is a short one. With only ten songs and 30 minutes of music it's a bit a shame on a side but well, it's a first album so I suppose that the band will be a bit more inspired in the future. Though don't worry, like a lot of the American releases the production is at least really good and you'll be able to listen to all the instruments without any problems?

For a NU Metal album, "Wicked Wisdom" is not a bad album. But actually, I would like to see if the band will be able to produce something a bit more personal and original for their second album, and if they can do it, for sure it could become a standard for the amateurs of the genre. On the other hand, the true Metalheads that doesn't like thins kind of music will not miss anything.