It must be hard to be related to one of the most famous and popular frontmen in metal, but Richie Cavalera has taken things in his stride to set up his own band. Incite have just released their third album and it’s obvious at Richie – along with Lennon, Chris, “Dru Tang” and Kevin – have managed this on their own merits.
The are almost all new for this release after a huge line-up change in 2012, but if this is what the new crew can come up with then they’ve struck gold. All but Dru Tang – who ed the band as they headed to the studio – worked on the song writing.
To my ear, Incite don’t sound particularly like any project of Max’s. Richie doesn’t sing like his step-father, and the musical style though heavy isn’t a Seps/Soulfly/CC/Nailbomb rip-off. What it does share in common with those acts, however, is quality.
This isn’t a “throw it on once, listen to it, go ‘meh'” album. It’s a great slab of metal with plenty of variety and a handful of standout tracks. It’s also got that feel to it that makes you want to hear it live, loud and sweaty. This is music written for a crowd.
It’s very much an angry album with a mixture of styles. A bit of groove, a thumping hardcore rhythm, hoarse/harsh vocals
Up In Hell was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Matt Hyde (Deftones, Slayer, Hatebreed) and nowhere is this more apparent than in one of the album’s tail-enders, “Losing Grip”. Definitely my favourite of the ten songs on offer, it slips and slides between fast & frenetic and slow & heavy, yet is full of groove. It has a definite hardcore feel to it, which probably appeals most to the Hatebreed fan in me.
I haven’t heard any of Incite’s earlier material, but on the strength of Up In Hell I’ll definitely be checking them out. I’ll also be watching for live dates (coming up at the end of October in the UK).
