Animosity (Animosity - Corrosion Of Conformity)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Animosity - Corrosion Of Conformity
Date:	23/05/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic crossover thrash.

Disadvantages: Missed opportunities, and feels insubstantial.

Clearly an important milestone in the history of thrash/punk crossover, Corrosion of Conformity's second album is a vast improvement over their first, without losing the reckless and angry attitude of their earlier years. At only twenty-five minutes, this isn't going to be any kind of magnum opus and it does feel rather insubstantial, especially in the shorter songs that don't even reach the two minute mark, but it's still an enjoyable ride.

The sound is now much more rooted in thrash metal than hardcore punk, sticking to the more vicious side of the genre as popularised by Slayer. This is mostly evident in Mike Dean's unhinged vocals, reminiscent of Megadeth's Dave Mustaine at times, but his impressive bass work keeps this from sounding too much like the other bands in that increasingly overcrowded genre.

The music here is mostly fast, but with some subtle hints towards the slower, more doom-laden style the band would later adopt, expressed most clearly in 'Positive Outlook' and the title song, and the band's ability to convincingly shift tempo in songs such as the great opener 'Loss of Words' makes their talents obvious - it's just a shame they don't show these off a little more.

1. Loss of Words
2. Mad World
3. Consumed
4. Holier
5. Positive Outlook
6. Prayer
7. Intervention
8. Kiss of Death
9. Hungry Child
10. Animosity

Summary: Corrosion of Conformity's second album (1985).