Suspended Animation

The first time I heard of Fantomas in the context of metal genealogy they were being debated as grindcore. Now upon any listening exposure one could quickly come to the conclusion that this band is far from grindcore, and I would go as far as to call that inaccurate categorization as totally dismissable if it weren't for this record

What Fantomas have achieved musically for themselves with this release is a successfully paraphrased idiom. They have condensed the many facets of their style found in previous works into a 43 min masterwork-and thats where the grindcore is apparent. In terms of production, playing-style, vocals etc. they are in a totally different ballpark from grindcore. Mike Patton is a master-producer and conjures up the cleanest drum sounds, the thrashiest guitar tones and peppers it all with wildly operatic screamo, R & B embellishments a la Destiny's Child, monk-like chanting and rhythmic vocal contortions. As well are inserted moments of mesmerized Asiatic ambience and horror movie enviroments. On top of it all this particular record features a somewhat tacky venture into childhood samples citing everything from bugs bunny musicals to alphabet demo toys.

So, from such a description it is hopefully apparent to the reader that this album has little relevance to what came out of the putrid basements of bands like Carcass and Repulsion in the late 80's. But it is the driving musical force behind albums like 'Horrified' and the grindcore genre in general that Suspended Animation has in common.... SPEED! If there is one thing that Fantomas can now boast with this one under there belt it is tightness and speed. This album delivers 60 mini-anthems at you in 30 tracks. The riffing is at times exquisite and infectious but just as your head starts banging the through for a loop with all the other whacky elements present in this melting pot of musical coneptions and abortions. This album, infact, sates all my varied musical needs at once; I just have to accept the fact that I can only experience them 30 seconds (or less) at a time!

This grindcore aesthetic of speed has been utilized in a seemingly similar sense to what the Locust's Bobby Bray was quoted in reference to his own bands music: "a reflection of... how our brains have to function in order to be able to do anything in the Western societies we live in."

So all in all I would recommend this album for anyone into Mr. Bungle (as the NEXT step), the Locust, Dave Lombardo (definitely his best work!) and anyone who can appreciate good thrash and speed and desires a trip into the unkown!!!

The thing about Fantomas that seperates them from other musicial artists is diversity of each album. Every time a Fantomas album comes out, its much different from the previous one. In this case, Mike Patton and company have created an awesome experiment of cartoon samples and metal. The formation of these two elements makes an interesting masterpiece that really delivers an artistic blast of creativity and brilliance.

"Suspended Animation" is composed of thirty tiny tracks. Everyone of these abnormal outbursts is filled with a healthy does of cartoon samples mixed with fine instrumental and vocal work. The cartoon samples range from famous kid TV shows, to sound effects made in children's toys and games. The samples are very fitting for the record and make "Suspended Animation" a very unique album. The instrumental work is also outstanding, mainly because the guitars and drums are always present. Buzz's guitar work ranges from thrash riffs to the typical Fantomas stroke of insanity. Dave Lombardo's drumming is complex and unbelievable as on previous Fantomas efforts. Dave's drumming and crazy drum rolls fit in perfectly with the guitars and the cartoon samples. Patton's vocal work is also a huge improvement from "Delirium Cordia." He has a large amount of diversity as he growls, moans and screams random notes that are maniacal, yet proper to the sound. Overall, the vocals, guitars and drums are a dynamic force when mixed with the cartoon samples.

"Suspended Animation" is defiantly a well done and genius album. The combination of samples and music really make "Suspended Animation" a special album, mainly because it isn't like anything I've ever heard before. "Suspended Animation" is without a doubt, one Mike Patton's best work and is great place to start if your new to Fantomas.