Forum.RttP{Phantom Limb review on Metal Judgement}

Reviewed by Slither (12/10/04):
When I read that a band hails from Boston, MA it usually sets of alarm bells in my head. Impact with shitty hardcore band screaming about something I don't care about! Collision unavoidable! Phantom Limb buck the trend with a pleasant surprise: an interesting death metal release combining several elements that tickle my fancy. Not common but certainly welcome,Veins of Unholy Capacity represents the first offering from this duo-now-trio thanks to the recent arrival of a new body to hang a bass guitar on. Even without this new four-stringer the boys have managed to craft an album that offers a playful and stylish amalgam of some of my favorite approaches to the metal of death.

Bizarre Fact Intermission
From their record label's website: "Phantom Limb is now known as Progeny of Ruin, and is seeking a drummer who has his own equipment and is willing to travel. Contact McCracken (infuscation@yahoo.com) for more information."

Anywho, the band is now a different band sans drummer and I imagine they have visions of a grand comeback tour or perhaps a super bowl halftime show featuring an inspiring genre defying crossover performance with other pop stars. More curious than this band's dissolution immediately following their first signed release is that their label's website, which is smothered in SS lightning bolts while the band features a black guy and a latino; go figure.

Fin
You know how Kevin Tally formerly of Dying Fetus fame has that style of drumming where he is all over the place and it feels like it could fall apart at any moment, but while he has you hanging on it can be pretty enthralling? Take that and replace most of the blasting with some much more creative choices and you understand what this album is standing on. I feel comfortable using the title "Proscriptor's Understudy" to describe this young man. The drums also have that endearing quality that can only be found when the engineer goes overboard on the reverb, the kit sounds cavernous but the rest of the band is standing two feet away in a cramped room.

Barring one or two breakdowns (thanks Boston) the riffing found emblazoned via laser on this disc reminds me in a roundabout way of Arghoslent in the same roundabout way that Arghoslent reminds me of Blue Oyster Cult. There is definitely a brief aftertaste of NWOBHM here. These hints of melody round out an aggressive American style perfected by Brutality, and topping it all off is the kind of raw vocal attack that confirms for you this guy does not plan on having vocal chords in his adult life. The drummer's interesting approach combined with the flair for non-Swedish un-gay melody really made this album a winner. If they reform beware of the new drummer, but in the meantime Veins of Unholy Capacity carries the calorie density to satiate your hunger.