Faceless

The Age

Friday May 2, 2003

Dave Cook

CD review: Faceless, Godsmack (Universal) **?

For some, the steady, deep thrum of engine noise is comforting - like when your mum used to put the dishwasher on just before you went to bed and it lulled you off to sleep. If that's what you're looking for in music, the monotonous hum of Faceless might appeal. If not, you'll probably just be bored by its generic take on angst metal with the drone of Dead and Broken or I Am leaving you wondering when it's all going to be over. Vocalist Sully Erna recently tried to dispel notions that Godsmack are an Alice In Chains clone band but the similarities are marked. And when Erna isn't sounding like a boring version of recently departed Chains vocalist Layne Staley, he's doing his best to mimic James Hetfield of Metallica. Godsmack have a huge guitar sound but there's not much songwriting insight to back it up - naming a song I F***ing Hate You demonstrates a lack of creativity. The best offering is I Stand Alone, featured on last year's Scorpion King soundtrack. There's also some great lead guitar on Re-align, once Erna stops singing and gives his band mates space to do their thing. -- Dave Cook