Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction by Soilent Green
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Release date : April 2008
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
Background information
Review
Background information
Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction marks the Metal Blade Records debut of New Orleans, Louisiana's Soilent Green (whose name derives from the 1973 science fiction movie Soylent Green, starring Charlton Heston), an act occasionally dubbed “swamp grinders”. Formed in 1988, debut full length Pussysoul wasn't released until 1995, surfacing via Dwell Records. In 1998, the group inked a record contract with Relapse Records, who issued the classic thirteen minute EP epic String of Lies. Breakthrough album Sewn Mouth Secrets arrived that same year, preceding 2001's A Deleted Symphony for the Beaten Down, and 2005's Confrontation.
Soilent Green has seen all that can come to pass. Whilst on tour during December 2001, guitarist Brian Patton and bassist Scott Williams both suffered broken bones. Several months later, Williams was involved in yet another auto accident. Later tragedies would unfold. In Gretna, Louisiana on April 26th 2004, Williams and roommate Tracey Terry were found dead in their apartment. Terry had fatally shot Williams in the head with a .38 calibre revolver, and then fatally shot himself in the chest. Erstwhile vocalist Glenn Rambo perished during September 2005, a victim of Hurricane Katrina. On October 1st, Rambo's ex-girlfriend and several National Guardsmen arrived at Rambo's home on Guerra Drive in Violet, Lousiana, discovering the bodies of both Rambo and his mother.
In October 2007, it was announced that Soilent Green had signed a record deal with Metal Blade Records. On the 15th of that month, the group entered Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida to begin recording their fifth full length album with producer / engineer Erik Rutan (known for work alongside Hate Eternal, Goatwhore, Vital Remains, and Cannibal Corpse). By late December, the album was slated for issue in mid April 2008. In early January 2008, the album's title was revealed to be Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction, with its track listing arriving midway into the next month. Designed by John Van Fleet, the full length's cover artwork was additionally unveiled in mid February. On March 4th with director David Brodsky of MyGoodEye, a music video was filmed in support of the track “Antioxidant”. On the 23rd via Indie 103.1 FM's specialty Metal program Chaos with Full Metal Jackie, music lifted from the album underwent a maiden airing through radio. In early April, “Antioxidant”'s music video surfaced via MySpace.
Review
Easily, Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction is Soilent Green's finest work to date. Such tragedies as the aforementioned, metalheads, are what lends Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction such potency. The album's existence even forms a testament to human perseverance, and the same can be said in discussing 2005's Confrontation. Unquestionably Soilent Green's proudest moment, this is simply icing upon the cake.
“Mental Acupuncture”'s crushing groove inaugurates Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction, and Soilent Green easily warms into the album. Stepping back, Soilent Green allow you to contemplate each respective aspect, and immediately pulverise the listener's eardrums. Equally refusing to mince words, “A Pale Horse and the Story of the End” spills hatred back and forth, reverting between both dark, muddy grooves, and spontaneous bursts of violence. Additionally, the straightforward “Rock Paper Scissors” is a crushing number. Unparalleled within today's Metal climate, “Superstition Aimed at One’s Skull” bears sonics resemblant of stoners ingesting anabolic steroids. A legendary track, it's merely awaiting such due recognition. In certain instances, Soilent Green even opt towards a mild gamble. Inaugurated via acoustics, the potent “Lovesick” (an irrefutable highlight) boasts a tight Metal bounce. Within “For Lack of Perfect Words”, Soilent Green unexpectedly exhibit Death Metal roots, roots of which happen to be extremely welcomed.
Seemingly reborn, Soilent Green lie amongst the very top of the game. The ancient adage “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” applies here, perhaps? Each of Soilent Green's respective incarnations always sonically resemble a bulldozer plowing through a pile of thick mud, and that's their greatest aspect. Overwhelmingly heavy, Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction makes no apologies. Negating verse-chorus-verse-chorus structures, each specific tune not only pummels the listener, but speaks to the listener. Paired against modern life's frustrations, this sound epitomises the plight of New Orleans' survivors, and that plight is raw, honest, and brutal. Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction is exactly what a Metal full length should be, and for modern extreme acts, Soilent Green is the new blueprint.
