SUBZTAIN: "Conflict Solution"

Rating: RR
Label: TwoSideMoon 2012
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Commercial feel with heavy riffs, topped off with Swedish melodies and Nickelback-ish vocal harmonies. Subztain have been accused of playing around with different styles, techniques, and genres. Thus why it is no coincidence that their album sounds like a terrorist causing an explosion at the hard rock cafe. Bits and pieces of this and that all over the place. The rhythm section consisting of bass-player Andreas Morling (also lead vocalist) and drummer Mattias Nielsen - very groove orientated and bringing to mind the likes of Linkin Park vs. Alter Bridge.

They're from Upplands Väsby (Stockholm suburban), the home of Europe, Candlemass, H.E.A.T. but couldn't be futher removed from those acts. We shouldn't assume that they are automatically guaranteed the same amount of success though, since it's a completely different kind of ballgame at play with "Conflict Solution". Great overall sound and production by Chris Snyder (HEAT, Nightwish) and the mastering session took place at the classic Abbey Road Studios.

The songs are neat. They are the rather promising Swedish hopefuls, sadly they are also square and utterly safe as a friggin' Volvo. Not nearly as lame as Takida, but they probably need to step up the pace and remove the air-bags for the next ride.
www.subztain.com