| Musical Style: Metal/Thrash | Produced By: Thomas Wilson & Sheldon D'Costa |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 2002 | Artist Website: Incarnate |
| Tracks: 3 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 14:48 |
Incarnate is a collaboration between Unforsaken vocalist/drummer Thomas Wilson and guitarist/bassist Sheldon D’Costa. D’Costa, who started out as Unforsaken’s bassist and performed on the bands 2000 self-titled demo CD, initially composed several songs intended for inclusion on Unforsaken’s full length debut Not Alone that ended up too being heavy to fit the bands sound. The two, as a result, decided to do a separate project and in early 2002 put together Incarnate. Work soon began on an album with a title at the time of Apotheosis, but, due to conflicting schedules and career goals, the project ended up being put on hold indefinitely. The good news, however, is that work on the album has been re-started with Wilson at the helm (D’Costa, unfortunately, is no longer involved in the endeavor). As things now stand, Wilson is re-mastering the original guitar and bass tracks contributed by D’Costa while re-recording the vocals and re-programming the drum tracks. Look for the album to include five D’Costa/Wilson compositions in addition to five others written by Wilson. In the meantime, in 2002 Incarnate put out an EP entitled Believe In Me that is made up of two original numbers and a sampler of songs slated for the upcoming full length release.
Please note that at the time of this writing Wilson is leaning towards doing away with the name Incarnate due to the fact there is an apparently satanic death-metal band from the Netherlands using the same name. The change, of course, is being considered to avoid association with the other band in question. Also, Apotheosis will no longer be the working title of the upcoming project. The album includes a song of the same name with lyrics about Christ; however, after researching the meaning of the word, Wilson discovered that “apotheosis” does not apply to Him or His nature as EITHER a man OR God’s Son incarnate. More details will be forthcoming in regards to both a final title to the album and name for the band.
On Believe In Me Incarnate plays straightforward heavy metal reflecting the influence of thrash, speed metal and power metal. The end result is an aggressive but technical sound certain to appeal to fans of Barren Cross, old school Deliverance, Temple Of Blood, Tourniquet, and Antithesis. The band, for example, is at its best on the relentless speed metal instrumental “Incarnation” and "Psychotropic Terror", a slower and heavier number moving in an overriding thrash direction. Incarnate, on the other hand, proves its ability to compose a number with a great deal of melody as well, reflected in the catchy hooks found on “Fallen Star”.
Thomas Wilson contributes his trademark clean and melodic mid-octave ranged vocal style but can spice things up with a more driving and aggressive approach to his delivery on "Psychotropic Terror". Sheldon D’Costa proves himself a well rounded musician, contributing the needed crunch on rhythm guitar while anchoring the bands sound with a tight and steady performance on bass. It is worth noting that the albums drum tracks are programmed; do not worry, however, because they sound just fine. As a matter of fact, if the artist had not told me the drums were programmed I would not have been able to tell the difference. They sound that good.
Production values are quite strong in allowing all the instrumentation to rise above the mix. The sound here is polished but not so much as to take away from the bands natural raw energy.
Please note that while Believe In Me is an independent release, it can be purchases at the PayPal friendly merchandise orders page at the bands website: http://www.unforsaken.ca/UPOS/main.html
The open air rhythm guitar at the start of “Believe In Me” gives way to a bass guitar driven riff that gradually builds in intensity. Racing through its first verse with the rhythm guitar hammering its way in and out of the mix, “Believe In Me” picks up in pace as the rhythm guitar steps forward and leads the way in ardent fashion to a hard hitting chorus backed by double bass. Jeff Lewis, who performed on Mortification’s 2002 release Relentless and is a current member of Sympathy, makes a guest appearance on lead guitar and graces an extensive instrumental section with his fiery soloing abilities.
“Fallen Star” takes off to a catchy riff backed by a pronounced bass line, the song not missing a beat as a profusion of determined mid-tempo impetus takes it to a chorus with a huge hook that will pull you in and refuse to let go. A blend of tight rhythm guitar harmony and razor sharp lead guitar work smoothly shores up a well timed instrumental section. A great song with a great hook that serves to showcase the bands potential.
The albums third and final track is made up of samples of songs that will be found on the bands upcoming full length release. With Wilson providing narration, the sampler begins to an introduction describing the band and its music before moving on to “Incarnation”, a fast and furious speed metal instrumental carried by shredding guitar leads and non-stop work on double bass. This one sounds real intense.
"Psychotropic Terror" is a heavy duty thrash number complemented by a nice, aggressive touch to Wilson’s vocal delivery. Tourniquet fans will feel right at home here. The song also has an interesting lyrical theme, addressing the issue of a drug addict who turns to the church for help but ends up being turned away. In the end, "Psychotropic Terror" is intended as a wake up call to Christians who are not doing enough to help people in need.
While its vocal tracks have not been completed, “Apotheosis” proves another thrash heavy number, beginning to a hammering guitar riff backed by striking drums before evening out to a slower and more driving mid-tempo pace.
The end of the sampler also mentions a cover of a song off the first Deliverance CD but, according to the bands website, it will likely be dropped from the albums line up.
Believe In Me, while a bit short in coming in at just 15 minutes, does a good job showcasing the talents of Thomas Wilson and Sheldon D’Costa in the areas of songwriting and musicianship. Based upon the potential shown here the bands upcoming full length debut should be killer. A very highly anticipated release.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Believe In Me” (4:52), “Fallen Star” (4:16), “Bonus Track: Apotheosis samples” (5:39)
Musicians
Thomas Wilson – Lead Vocals
Sheldon D’Costa – Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass & Drums
Guest Musicians
Jeff Lewis – Lead Guitar
