Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

MX > Simoniacal > Reviews
MX - Simoniacal

Thrash with some unique aspects from Brazil - 77%

Byrgan, June 2nd, 2009

MX recorded two tracks on the 'Headthrashers Live' split a year prior to this in '87, and one can safely say it was more extreme. They played a deadly form of thrash, with harsher shouts and screams, probably trying to top or one-up the stage performances of the other bands on that chaotic release. Their debut 'Simoniacal' in comparison would bring out a more defined production and etch themselves as more of a unique entity as a band. Which even though less harsh, it brings out a direction that would steer MX into something that is fitting and is more their niche as a band.

This has a loud and medium tone to it, with more treble than bass, although it isn't accompanied with the usual overbearing hiss. At times the music is somewhat technically proficient in the guitar department. I wouldn't go as far as to say MX on 'Simoniacal' were a progressive thrash band however, because the drums have a strangely simplistic approach by comparison, even with a bass player that keeps his fingers reduced to just getting the job done, although on occasion bouncing about behind the guitars' shadow. I would apply that more to the second full length, 'Mental Slavery' which has each of the instruments bring about technical aspects as a whole. The vocals here still use a self-distorted tone, this isn't thrash with singing or even half-singing attempts. He uses a more raspy projection, with a growled undertone, typically matching the notes of the guitars and drums, instead of just anywhere. There are a few gang shouts added to enforce a certain word here and there along with the leading vocalist. But nothing that has them as abundant as listening to a hardcore album for instance.

The guitars have a particular design with the blue print of the music. They can switch from some basic entry level thrash riffage to diving right into some more proficient rhythms and leads. Adding a decent amount of solo work, and stepping outside and into the primary riffs, which evolve the music into mostly chugging and thrashing when at a mid-pace level. MX definitely have a different way of song writing. Using quick hits that the drummer usually matches with hit-for-hit, though without complex rolls, typically just repeatedly hitting the snare or tom drums and cymbals in a basic fashion. Sometimes even having the vocalist catching the same notes all together. It generates these little pauses between the music, instead of typically flowing through with continuous tremolo styled thrash riffs. Max speed isn't their objective. It can give the band their own identity listening to their debut, because I can't say that I've heard too many bands take that approach. Besides some bands that have far too many start up riffs, making the song lose its flow. But instead MX seem to have their own agenda going on. In the beginning of the song 'Dead World' there is an under-a-minute low-key acoustic passage. Along with the vocalist using enough reverb that he authentically pulls off a Neanderthal hiding in a damp cave while speaking in distorted whispered tongues from ancient and various tribal drawings on the walls. The drummer brings it back to present reality by switching it up with some intermittent brushes on his cymbals.

'Simoniacal' has its perks and also its share of weakening aspects. The biggest thing here is its repetition. Unlike their second full length 'Mental Slavery' where things are constantly structuring itself in different directions and helps make the album become more engaging. This does share some unique qualities, though they are used repeatedly throughout the album. The drummer stopping to hit each drum on his set, but nearly on each song hitting the same areas, using very similar fills. The guitars do add some rememberably great leads and solos, though the primary style uses a deeper chugged type of riff. They'll squeeze this form in for the most part on each song, typically with similar fills. Seeing a pattern? It is almost like at points 'Simoniacal' is a different sounding album from some other bands, yet can become predictable within itself. Usually albums that come across as steady, similar all the way through, or hardly break their own rules go for a "tone." Yes, this album has a certain atmosphere, but it isn't so overbearing to be completely justified in the end. I think the band was going more for a headbanging approach through instruments, rather than creating a dead-pan mood.

MX's debut began to see more aspects that would bring them together as a band. 'Simoniacal' in certain areas has some strangely placed riffs due to their timing. This is music that doesn't exceed a faster, every other click on the hi-hat and snare, more at a medium-bordering-on-fast thrash placing. It doesn't come off as extreme as some of their Brazilian peers at the time. But on the other hand, MX mix their own identity and some of their influences together. Though, I don't have a problem being quizzed as to whether MX is on the stereo. Yet, the production does have that Brazilian taint to it for the time period, and in some ways adds a particular, fitting roughness to their music, giving it that desired 'edge.' MX play a form of thrash here that has aspects of death lyrically and vocally. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that they are a centered, full-fledged death-thrash band. It seems more or less their prior influences carrying themselves over.

'Simoniacal' is one of those recordings that sticks to its guns and can become so confident that at points that it can become predictable. Methods and techniques are done with efficiency, but you can essentially know when they're going to happen, have a rough idea of how they're going to happen. The solos on the other hand bring about some necessary attributes when the songs are in need of a different direction. And I still feel it's worth some spins even with the recycled parts hindering this album from achieving better altitude, because this album has a lot energy and doesn't seem made just to fit in.

Very good old school stuff! - 89%

CHRISTI_NS_ANITY8, December 26th, 2008

The Brazilian underground was full of minor bands that in some ways contributed to the growth of the genre in that country, but they never reached a good level of famousness. MX is another small cult band in this field and now we are going to analyse the debut album, Simoniacal. Their style as you can imagine is a brutal and raw thrash/death. At the time, the biggest influences could come from Schizophrenia album by Sepultura and few from Sarcofago. It’s normal, being two of the most representative bands in this field at the time.

So, we begin with “Dirty Bitch” and its long series of galloping riffs. The band is truly compact and goes ahead without fears, destroying everything on its way. The riffs are fucking good and there’s no time to relax. The vocals are in pure Max Cavalera style on Schizophrenia and that is just great. The following “Fighting for the Bastards” has a more mid-paced beginning but soon the lead lines create a dramatic atmosphere, followed by the fast paced parts. They are extreme, heavy and really nasty thanks also to a production that is powerful enough without being that clear. Here it’s all about the guitars and their crunchy, scratchy distortion. The drumming is essential to sustain quite simple but extremely catchy structures.

Even the more mid-paced parts are just obliterating in intensity as “Satanic Noises” confirms, at least during the first parts and the few breaks. The guitars solos are simple, impulsive and made of tremolo pickings. The atmosphere is darker during these sections because the whistles and the nastiness create the right gloominess these compositions deserve. However, the rhythmic riffs are the most important thing on this little jewel. “Inquisition” has more of those fantastic galloping riffs and they sustain really impulsive and catchy section in order to make mosh everybody till death. Once again, the calmer, slower and longer lead lines are great to create a perfect atmosphere for this track.

“Dead World” has weird and again obscure guitars lines while the tempo remains always fast. The drumming is furious and the vocals are here once again to vomit all their hate towards religion, society, invoking a nuclear disaster. “Jason” is definitely darker and it has to be so, due to the content. Once again the story of the famous killer is an example on which you can build music and even this time is good. The murky atmosphere is again for the lead lines while the fast restarts are brutal and the up tempo sections are quite long. “Restless Souls” is an instrumental, dark track. The riffs are slower in several sections and you can hear the hammering bass behind. However, some more dynamic restart is welcome and soon it can turn to be a pure up tempo attack.

The last “Dark Dream” is the perfect, sheer assault to end this album. The beginning is far more melodic but the great drums solo section introduces us to a massive dosage of speed and brutality. The vocals are again there to fill the atmosphere with despise and violence, following the precise and hammering work of the other instruments. All in all, I consider this album another very good surprise from Brazil and I recommend this album to every death/thrash fan. There’s nothing new but who cares when it’s always good music.

RIFFUCK - 97%

KilluA, June 6th, 2008

A classic Brazilian Thrash Album. I can't believe nobody has reviewed this yet. MX were one of the more well know Brazilian bands because they weren't raw as fuck as Vulcano, Holocausto, etc. They placed an emphasis on riffs are are melodic COMPARED to those bands!

The vocals are harsh, sometimes dwelling on the black metal side and the death metal side. The riffs are amongst the best. I'd rather listen to this than Vio-Lence (which is wankery). Solos are in the traditional metal style, well done but nothing particularly too memorable here.

The openers, Dirty Bitch and Fighting For The Bastards are fast riffing headbangers. Satanic Noise slows it down but it's not a wasted track as it has some speedy parts. It makes you appreciate the groove. Another highlight is Dead World, a pretty slick track with nice leads and rhythm picking. Other tracks are great but nothing worth mentioning 'cept the fact that it's thrash.

I recommend this to all thrash fans. It's an essential for Brazilian thrash (one of the major scenes). If you like old-school black metal like Tormentor, you might like a few tracks here.

One of my all-time favourites.