HIMSA
Hail Horror
Prosthetic Records 2006
www.himsa.org

Live Himsa pics

What’s the 4-1-1?
Seattle hardcore band returns with their fourth studio album.

Genre
Metalcore / hardcore / death metal / hard rock / metal

The Good
“Anathema” is as haunting as it is devastating. The drums pound ferociously as vocalist John Pettibone delivers like a madman possessed. “Sleezeevil” kicks the tempo into overdrive as Himsa slams you with an all-out metal assault. Strap yourselves in for a fiery dual guitar attack courtesy of Kirby Johnson and Sammi Curry on “Pestilence.” Pettibone unleashes his most intense performance yet with his vocals. “Wither” will suck you in with it’s clean ballad-link opening instrumental, but will eventually drive a stake in your heart when the distortion kicks in. You can hear a lot of old-school thrash influence in the guitar work. Once again the guitar execution steals the show on “Seminal,” while “Calling in Silent” represents the epitome of what metalcore is all about.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
Death metal (metalcore, hardcore…whatever you want to call it) and I have a love/hate relationship. Most of the time I can’t stand it, but every once in a while a band comes along and draws me in. Himsa just happens to be one of those bands. Sure, they have all of the same elements of the genre; heavy riffs, pounding drums, and snarling vocals, but I think that their sound is reminiscent of the thrash metal of the eighties, mixed with the harder and louder tones of today’s metal. The vocals are traditional hardcore, but strangely enough sound in tune. Kneel down to the future dark Lord’s of death metal. Don’t just Hail Horror, hail Himsa.

Did You Know?
The band's name is a play on the Sanskrit word "ahimsa," which refers to peace and nonviolence.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne