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Xentrix > Ghost Busters > Reviews
Xentrix - Ghost Busters

Day of the double X (2/5): Bad decision - 36%

Felix 1666, August 3rd, 2017
Written based on this version: 1990, 12" vinyl, Roadracer Records

The first bad decision in the short career of Xentrix was the recording of "Ghost Busters", an insubstantial, inadequately "funny", boring and worthless song. Even its scarce playtime of less than three minutes is already much too long for this painfully primitive cover version. Xentrix pick up a stupid track and do not add a pinch of individuality, only the unlovingly performed speed part at the end is new but completely moronic at the same time.

The B side offers two original Xentrix songs which benefit from a more or less clearly defined sound. Yet let's face the truth, it was no coincidence that these songs did not appear on a regular album of the band. Both leave room for improvement. In terms of style, they follow the direction of the pretty strong debut and therefore mid-harsh thrash is the name of the game. But the tunes are not meticulously designed, the single parts fail to mesh with each other. For example, the second song of the B side has a harsh up-tempo part, but it is almost a foreign body in the context of the composition.

It does not matter how many times one listens to these two pieces, one will not be able to identify outstanding features. Despite some acceptable or even relatively convincing melody lines, they are typical leftovers that meander between superfluous and agreeable. At the end of the day, both fail to leave their footprints in the history of Xentrix. It was a fair action that these songs never appeared on a regular album of the band, but this would have been very incomprehensible at the same time. Do yourself a favour and ignore this release.

Incontrovertibly retarded - 17%

autothrall, December 10th, 2010

Metal music has always been ridden with the pestilence of failed attempts at irony or humor, and this very often manifests in some extreme metal act performing a cover of a pop song. Once in a great while, it might succeed, but in the case of this ill-advised cover of Ray Parker Jr.'s theme to the Ghostbusters film, it is an abject failure that should be incinerated at every available opportunity. Riding high off the minor buzz that their debut Shattered Existence inspired, Xentrix decided to bridge the gap to their sophomore full-length with an EP/single featuring this cover as its central point, and fuck does this stink.

I remember heading to the mall to pick this up, under the assumption that it was just an original song inspired by the films, and being stunned at how utterly stupid this was. Happy, dorky guitars translate the original instrumental into one of the most disposable renditions available, even if played accurately with decent backing vocals like the original. The problem is, it's not funny. You might giggle at the irony of the idea for about 5 seconds until you realize that, no, it's really not funny, and a waste of time, even if that's less than 3 minutes of time. But the real issue here, is that the other tracks don't make up for it. "Nobody's Perfect" is bass-driven garbage, with mediocre thrash riffs and middling vocals up until the chorus, which is not equivalent to even the worst tracks on Shattered Existence.

Thus, any value to the release falls solely on the shoulders of "Interrogate", which is again, a mediocre piece that would've only scraped the bottom of the band's first two albums. The vocals and riffing dynamics are easily superior to the other tracks here, and it picks up into acceptable levels of thrust, but it's too little and too late and there are simply better options available in the remainder of the band's catalog. In short, there is absolutely no reason to hunt this down. The three tracks have since been included with the 2007 Metal Mind re-issue of the band's debut, but otherwise I would not spend even a dime on adding this to my collection. A cute gimmick, perhaps, but cute wasn't going to cut it, and I'd accept even the dorkiest phoning in of ironic, unfunny retro thrashing over this plebeian attempt at a pop culture gag.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

I fear no ghost! - 86%

The_Boss, July 29th, 2008

Xentrix go goofy on this single, covering the infamous Ghostbusters theme song making it a thrash song with some awesome leads and hilariously awesome vocals, while at the same time showing off previously unheard material in preparation towards to their sophomore album release. Two new songs, Nobody’s Perfect and Interrogate are two wicked fast thrash numbers that are definitely deserving of the Xentrix and ‘thrash’ title.

The first, Nobody’s Perfect features some fun and fast guitar sections that are semi galloping but perfect for headbanging and/or moshing considering how old school of a thrasher you are. Xentrix never was known for being a really aggressive or a death thrash outfit, more of a straight up melodic thrash band more welcome amongst the ranks of Megadeth, Toxik and even Realm on the more technical side. Nobody’s Perfect has some awesome horn inspiring lead parts, especially ending off with a great guitar solo. The bass is prominent in this song as well, as it should be in a thrash band, allowing for heavier rhythms and packing more of a punch.

Interrogate is the heavier song, focusing more on intense drumming and showcasing a better bassline, especially almost exactly halfway in with the insane bass solo; this is what thrash is all about! Hyperactive drums mixed with wicked bass solos and lines to compromise the neverending riffs and melody brought in with the guitar solos. Xentrix has nailed this down, and with this Ghostbusters single given me the first taste of what Xentrix is all about! Horns to these thrashers for turning a goofy ass song like Ghostbusters and making it thrash, speeding it up towards the end faster and fasters until it reaches its peak and cumulates with a great thrash ending. Xentrix is all about classic melodic 80’s thrash and does it with humor and style.

Who ya going Call?, Xentrix! - 95%

ThrashAD720, February 22nd, 2007

After having an great debut album with "Shattered Existence" The UK Thrasher wanted to give fans a little preview on what the next album was going to be, and they gave the fans the single called Ghostbusters.


The single kicks off with an Excellent cover of Ray Parker Jr. Hit "Ghostbusters" this is great track and it shows that you can take a hit pop song to a classic Thrash cover. Xentrix change the song a bit with taking some parts off and shorten it to a almost full three minutes song.


The second track off this is "Nobody's Perfect" which a great track, fast, strong and powerful. The vocals sorta sounds like Chuck Billy/James Hetfield but with a twist. Nice little drum solo from 2:59 - 3:03, has a good guitar solo towards to end of the track.


And the final track on this is "Interrogate" The drum intro is good, Chuck Billy style vocals are good. Awesome guitar solos that starts around 2:05 - 2:18 just a good fast in your face thrash song.


Overall this single is good, great production, band working well together and just a kick ass cover of a pop tune. Xentrix is a good thrash that got lost in the start of the death metal era that hit the Late 80's through the early 90's. The bands style hadn't change with this ep maybe because they were recorded during "Shattered Existence" sessions and never made it into album until 2006 re-release version did.