Reviews from "Embrace Oblivion"

 

 

Reviewed at www.the-plague.com

www.the-plague.com

Tearabyte- Embrace Oblivion(Screaming Ferret)
Tearabyte plays a rather straight-forward brand of modern retro thrash metal that manages to show some potential. Bassist/vocalist Al Mead spent the 80s in the minor league outfit Knightmare and even survived some time in GG Allin's outfit before ending up in Dallas, where he put together Tearabyte with his brother Kevin (guitar) and drummer Jeff Owens. "Road Rage" is pretty straight-forward hardcore-inflected, mid-tempo thrash. The vocals are fairly old-school in nature but are mixed a little strangely, making them seem a bit disembodied from the music. The title track is next and is much more interesting, featuring a cool chugging riff and a more memorable chorus. "Strike the Enemy" features a cool, more modern-sounding riff, while "Tear it Up" passes by without making much impression. "Lash of the Gash" gives Anvil a run for their money in the lyric department but falls a bit short musically. "It's All a Lie" proves more interesting, while "Screaming Pig Fucker From Hell" lives up to its overly crude title (closer to GG here than Anvil this time). Instrumental "Spear of Destiny" features a nice crunchy riff and the album closes with a cool and surprisingly faithful version of the Johnny Cash classic, "Ring of Fire." Stylistically, Tearabyte remind me of several dissimilar bands at different times, from Nuclear Assault to Hallow's Eve to Exodus. Which means that Tearabyte is definitely onto their own sound here and it is one that should prick up the ears of elder thrash fans looking for something new. Embrace Oblivion is a mixed bag, but there are some decidedly meaty cuts to be found within and it is always cool to hear a band keeping alive the tradition of classic thrash metal. More info: http://www.tearabyte.com (Review by Daniel Hinds)


Reviewed at www.dailyvault.com

www.dailyvault.com
Originally published: July 16, 2002

Tearabyte- Embrace Oblivion(Screaming Ferret)
Tearabyte is a mixed-bag that is more pleasure than pain. On one hand, the band wants to be taken very seriously as a metal band. As musical cousins to a Slayer or Anthrax, the band is a good to above-decent thrash band. Opening track "Road Rage" borrows, thematically, from the Offspring's "Bad Habit" (from Smash), spinning a tale of "pedestrians scatter run for your lives/ won't stop till your carcass/ is my finish line" following up with "you know I'll run you down."The title cut of this release follows and is a good example of metal done right. Guitarist Kevin Mead introduces an errie theme before bassist/vocalist Al Mead and drummer Jeff Owens come in to drive the song about the "downfall of man is what is in store." The vocals are melodic and, for such a serious subject, deliver the message of a bleak outlook on life. The guitar solo is equally melodic, although short. Drummer Owens pounds a heavy backbeat with some tasty ride cymbal accents. Then, on the other hand, you get to the quad of songs that finish out the CD. "Screaming Pig" (the abbreviated title of the actual title of this song) spits venom with its lyrics, so outrageously vulgar, that I can't help chuckle when I hear/read them. It seems to be the result of a late night, alcohol- soaked, beer bong bonanza of "how much can we throw into a song." Remarkably, the song is a gem musically. The following track "Pissing Contest" carries forward thematically the dissing of the subject as Al Mead questions, " . . . who cares/ when you claim to be something your [sic] not/ . . . friendship you'll never know/ meaningless unworthiness/ arrogance vengeance/ trust a word you don't understand/ your best friends are arrogance and ego." Obviously, this person is not on Mead's top 100 list. The instrumental "Spear Of Destiny" is a good driving mid-tempo of thrash metal done right. The melody is interesting and the drums synch with the change into a straight-ahead thrash tempo. When that song ends, you get "Ring Of Fire", a Johnny Cash cover. Like "Screaming Pig", I can't help chuckle at this song. It is well-done, musically.The CD tracks in at 50 minutes and at the end of repeatedly listening to this CD, I am gathering this band's rehearsals would be a treat to sit on. They exhibit a sense of humor and can back it up with interesting music. I look forward to this band's future releases.
RATING: B+

© 2002 Paul Hanson and "The Daily Vault". (Review by: Paul Hanson)

 

Reviewed at www.roughedge.com

www.roughedge.com

Tearabyte- Embrace Oblivion(Screaming Ferret
Tearabyte seem to have removed all of the strings from their electric guitars and replaced them with the bigger, throbbier strings of a bass. If you're looking for heavy, look no further because, believe me, this is it. Like Testament and perhaps Overkill, Tearabyte thrive on the low end of the musical spectrum. Their songs are bottom-heavy, evenly paced (never too fast) and designed for maximum impact. The opening chords of the CD's first track, "Road Rage," set the tone and it never changes throughout. Fortunately, although the band's typical sound never strays too far from its center, each song is structured so that it stands out on its own. The only weak song on the CD is "It's All A Lie," which rumbles along nicely enough but doesn't ever really go anywhere either. The CD's best tracks are the title track, the unabashedly angry "Road Rage," "Price of Evil" and the Southern-fried cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." One thing is certain: I hope Tearabyte didn't form a band for the same reason Blackie Lawless of "W.A.S.P." originally did (when asked, Blackie answered, "To get my dick sucked.") Women are likely to find "Last of the Gash" and "Screaming Pig Fucker From Hell" (no, I am not making it up) so offensive that they'll probably bring rotten tomatoes and picket signs to a Tearabyte show. Then again, it works for GWAR. Tearabyte is: Al Mead - bass, lead vocals; Kevin Mead - guitar, backing vocals; Jeff Owens - drums. For more information, check out http://www.tearabyte.net. (Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton)


Review at Metal Rules July 2002

www.metal-rules.com

Tearabyte- Embrace Oblivion(Screaming Ferret)
Brothers Al and Kevin Mead form the bass and guitar backbone of Tearabyte, who, along with drummer Jeff Owens, have offered up this slab of old school traditional thrash metal from Texas. The original incarnation of Tearabyte rose in Los Angeles, CA in 1998, formed by Al Mead with a different line-up on guitars and drums.  They released their debut DOOM GENERATION before calling it quits. Shortly after, Al Mead relocated to Texas and reformed Tearabyte with the current line-up. Thrash fans will enjoy Tearabyte because this band is all about riffs. Thick, heavy riffing. Listening to EMBRACE OBLIVION, it is obvious that the Mead bros. have not forgotten about the old school. Tearabyte play thrash metal that fuses some of the classic bay area thrash sound with the thicker sound of the almighty Overkill, albeit a bit slower than Overkill. A sludgy, almost doomish riff opens the album on “Road Rage” before the song picks up tempo. The vocals here are rather typical clean shouted thrash vocals with somewhat of a rough cigarette-destroyed edge to the voice. Following “Road Rage” is the title track of the album, slowing the tempo down again without diminishing the heaviness of the album. “Strike The Enemy” is up next, a fast-paced song in the bay area thrash style, which really stands out to me as the best song on the album. In addition, songs like “One More Day,” and “Lash Of The Gash” fill the album with some very good tracks. What self-respecting thrash band would sing about anything other than aggression, misanthropy, and sexual anger? Tearabyte is no exception in this department, either. The only song on the album that I do not care for is “Screaming Pig Fucker From Hell,” which is sexually explicit and rather disgusting. As the album nears the end, the instrumental “Spear Of Destiny” showcases the bands skill as musicians and songwriters. Though the lyrics may be quite amateur, there is no doubt that Tearabyte play with the passion of three guys who just want to play no-frills old school metal. The album closes out with a cover of “Ring Of Fire,” originally performed by country musician Johnny Cash,and Tearabyte make fun work of the song. The band’s biggest strength, I believe, comes from having two brothers form the musical and creative battery, which lends itself to a cohesive band unit. Tearabyte isn’t about being the most original, creative, or technical metal band; they are about playing metal in the classic 80s style.

EMBRACE OBLIVION is about three guys who just want to crack a few beers, have a good time, and play some good, solid metal.  (Reviewer: Night of the Realm.)


Review at Sleaze Grinder June 2002

www.sleazegrinder.com

Tearabyte- Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret) 

I remember standing in front of Jack's back in the early 80's watching Knightmare grind out their proto- stoner thrash metal through the picture window, thinking they were the absolute tits because they were loud and hairy and were personal friends with GG Allin. That club burned down a while later. I'm not sure if the two events are related or not, but probably. Tearabyte are ex-Knightmare members that moved their biker thrash from New Hampshire to Texas, but besides a warmer climate and 17 years, not much has changed. "Embrace Oblivion" has the classic horse galloping riffs and chest beating battle fetish of Iron Maiden or Metal Church, and Tearabyte could've easily hit the streets around the same time as Grim Reaper's "See You in Hell" and nobody would've blinked or called the time police. That's not to say that Tearabyte are revivalists, because in one form or another, they've been playing this kind of meat and potatoes metal for decades. 'Embrace Oblivion' is supposed to help usher in a return to American thrash metal, which means the end of all that horrible nu-metal, so I'm all for it, man. Got the bullet belt and everything. Don't expect many new twists on the formula here, but when's the last time you were looking for an innovative thrash metal record anyway? Just bang thy fuckin' head, (Review by earthdog.)

 

Review at Rock and a Hard Place June 2002

www.rockhardplace.com

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)

   Sometimes I think I just take my metal too seriously. Along comes a band who gashes huge holes in my speakers with some heavy-ass songs with titles like Road Rage, Lash Of The Gash, Screaming Pig Fucker and Pissing Contest. Generally I'd just toss this aside and move on with my life but there's more under the surface and what I found in here are some great tunes that dangerously resemble the old school slamming of Nasty Savage, Manilla Road and Tyrant. With as much death metal as I listen to I sometimes like to actually understand what the singer is saying. This band delivers and although they will win no prizes for deep lyrical content they manage to get their message across. I believe this band is about having some fun while still playing some damn heavy music as the tunes just rumble down the track with some good riffing and also some suprising soloing thrown in as well. Hey, not everyone can play "thinking man's metal". When you just want to pound some beers and crank up the tunes with the boys this is certainly a cd to entertain AND supply the metal fix all in one.  (Review by Axeman)

 

Review at Electric Basement May 2002

www.electricbasement.com

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)

Thicker and less frenetic than Slayer, but as energized and coherent as early Testament, tossing up a few blistering oldschool solos and you have Tearabyte. As if spawned from some sort of ugly sewer in thrash happy '85, there is nothing here that would suggest this is anything other than a cult classic ripped from the vaults of some seedy indie label gone under. Everything from the production to the music itself is a replica of a time passed. This was a time with less calculation and more spontaneity than the cooky cutter nu-metal legion that has stolen the mass media label of "metal", if only for now. Vocally rather street and faceless, but still very much in tune with the rumblings in the background. Basically, a completely unabashed throw back to SF in the day, ripping off Poison shirts of the innocent and replacing them with the evil of a Slayer Reign in Blood wife beater tank top.- The Rock Devil

 

Interview at The Edge Magazine - July 2002
www.theedgemagazine.com
At their site
www.theedgemagazine.com/july2002tearabyte.htm
Or at our site

 

Interview at Hellride Music - May 13, 2002
www.Hellridemusic.com
At their site
http://www.hellridemusic.com/bands/t/tearabyte_interview.shtml
Or at our site

 

Music Extreme - May 16, 2002
www.musicextreme.com
Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion  (Screaming Ferret Wreckords, 2002)
This is a band that is extremely heavy. And that doesn't mean that they are extremely fast. In fact they prefer to not abuse the fastest parts and they use a lot of mid paced parts and riffs. The vocals reminded me of Grip Inc?s Gus Chambers, specially on tracks like "Embrace Oblivion". The main thing here are the songs and they are really heavy. But they also have memorable choruses and great solos. There are killer melodies and the riffs are very original on most of the tracks. I wouldlike the band to mix the guitars a little bit louder (so the hihat doesn't opaque certain frequencies).Great songs !! Again, I think the main point here are the killer riffs that give the band a lot ofidentity (sometimes they have great thrash metal influences). I recommend this one. Favoritetracks: "Embrace Oblivion", "One More Day" and "Screaming Pig".
(Federico Marongiu from musicextreme.com, Buenos Aires, Argentina.)

 

MegaKungfu - May 8, 2002
www.megakungfu.com

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
If you happen to be wandering the streets and come across the Mead brothers., run like a mutherfucker! These guys are bad ass metal dudes and could kick your ass. With that said, their band is as metal as it gets! Think old Metallica from the days of "Kill Em All" meets some old school Slayer. Obviously big names to compare with, but the influences are there. "Embrace Oblivion" is a fitting name for the record. "Road Rage" begins with a brooding lick. Evil! From that point forward the band kicks it into high gear and lets the guitars fly! Al sounds disturbingly like Hetfield from back in the hay day! The chorus is neat, there is some low end death metal vocals that let the blood splatter. And as if that is not enough destruction there is a guitar riff that breaks in that is fast, furious and reeks of "The Four Horsemen". Kick ass! Whirling guitars kick "Strike The Enemy" into high gear. Bruising the band chugs at a heavy pace. Owens unleashes some nifty drums licks while the evil Mead's create a feeling of Hell. The bridge breaks into the chorus where the band snarls  "Strike the accursed, kill the enemy, hiding in the night". Be sure to let your hair fly for the guitar solo. METAL! Devil horns are in order! The reference to Slayer is fitting on "One More Day". Yet again the vocal structure has a Metallica feel to it. But the guitars are unrelenting as they create all kinds of sounds to bust the pit up to. The middle portion of the track slows down a bit, and a guitar slowly build the mood. From there they jam out! Fuck the neighbors?turn this fucker up! Don't go buying this CD thinking you will hear the modern day " Angel Of Death", or "Jump In The Fire". The references to Slayer and Metallica were used to give you an idea of the sound. What those two bands did back in the 80's will never be surpassed. But Tearbyte is the perfect band to bring you back and make you remember why that music is so fucking good. Go see these bastards live, just watch out for the Mead's! If they are anything like their music they will kick your ass!
Derek's scale of 1 to 10: 7.5, Riffs, solo's, and snarling vocals! Old school done right!
(Review by Derek Showerman)

 

Rock N Roll Experience - May 1, 2002
www.angelfire.com/rock/e4/may2002.html

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
Thrash Metal, very heavy, & obviously very influenced by Kill Em All era Metallica! That's a brief description of Tearabyte...a guitar shredding band that's brand of music is loud, fast, & very tuned down! "Road Rage" sounds like a left-over from the Kill Em All Sessions by Metallica, which is a very good thing! The surprise track on this disc is the bands cover of the Johnny Cash classic "Ring Of Fire". I've heard several bands do this song, including Social Distortion..I think that rockers like Johnny Cash so much because he is the bad guy in country who wore black & just looked cool, but anywho, their cover is nothing like the country soaked original, their version is played through a Marshall at 11+! If you were a fan of Overkill, Exodus, or Anthrax, back when those bands were heavy (lol), then you'll love this heavy metal opus!

 

Indepthzine - April 30, 2002
www.indepthzine.com
Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
It's always a good thing to remember where you came from and to look back at your musical roots.  Texas based Tearabyte has done just that with their Screaming Ferret Wreckords release "Embrace Oblivion".  Yeah, you're saying they're on a small New Hampshire based indie label so they must be a struggling hardcore band.  That's the stereotype.  The reality is Tearabyte has that CLASSIC underground, 80's thrash metal feel from the opening licks of "Road Rage" to the closing verse on "Ring Of Fire".  Was it pointed out to you that this sonicly pleasing sound is made by only 3 metalheads?  Al Mead (bass, vocals), Kevin Mead (guitar) and Jeff Owens (drums) put all they have into Tearabyte and the finished product is something they should each be proud of.  Songs like "Strike The Enemy" and "Tear It Up" capture a feel reminiscent of the EARLY days of Overkill, Motorhead, and Slayer.  Any number of the pioneers of metal could be pointed to as a musical influence. Check out the Exodus feel on "One More Day"!  Don't expect any nu-metal here.  Tearabyte is all about how well 3 guys can play their hearts out together and that emotion shows on "Under The Sand", and "Lash Of The Gash".  Long hair, denim jackets and of course, the big climactic chorus right?!  Tearabyte hasn't forgotten that either!  Check out "It's All A Lie"!  The guitar lines laid down by Kevin Mead are unique in each song and complement the direction of the song perfectly as on "Price Of Evil".  With the opening line of "Squeal like a pig bitch!" how can you not like "Screaming Pig"?!  Just wait until you hear the rest of the song...it's got that same unadulterated abandon as the good ol Mentors did back in the day!  Like a classic muscle car, it might take a while to get started but once it does, you'll love the hum of the engine.  The same theory holds true to "Pissing Contest"!  Something that hasn't been seen in quite a while (unless you are Karma To Burn then you did this on your entire album) is the instrumental.  "Spear Of Destiny" is the title of this instrumental and hats off to Al, Kevin and Jeff for a classic song.  The fun isn't over yet until the last lick of the happy go lucky attitude of "Ring Of Fire".  Tearabyte has done a great job of  keeping the clean classic metal sound alive and well.  They've already covered the country on tour in 2001 and plan to do it again this year which has already included a stop at the Metal Meltdown 4 in New Jersey.  For all  the latest, be sure to check out Tearabyte's official website at  http://www.tearabyte.net!  Rating 8 of 10.
(Review by Anthony Pagano In Depth E-Zine)

 

Hellride Music - April 29, 2002

www.hellridemusic.com
Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
The new-school of the old-school are hitting the Barnes mailbox fast and furious. Big Daddy Barnes is pleased. This time we have a high-quality nugget of molten metal from the Tearabyte folks. Ahhh! Tearabyte blends the Bay Area sound of the '80's with a bit of NWOBHM and a hint of the Florida sound in the nose. If this were your finely blended cup of gourmet coffee, Starbucks stores across the land would be spontaneously exploding - which really may not be a bad thing. The coffee culture needs a shake-up. Classic thrash has always embraced the "Me vs. Them" theme, Tearabyte is no exception. Bassist/vocalist Al Mead (ex-Prime Evil and Knightmare) spits out misanthropic lyrics with suitable aplomb while chugging out bass lines like Steve Harris in overdrive. So when he's bellowing "Strike the accursed! Kill the Enemy!", you know the dude is no stranger to these kind of thoughts. I'm also happy to report that Tearabyte know how to take the piss in classic Anthrax fashion, as one look at the lyrics to "Screaming Pig Fucker From Hell" and the traditional approach to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" will attest. In short, a nice return to a classic metal sound. Funny fuckers too. (Chris Barnes)

 

Strange Aeons - April 18, 2002
strangeraeons.tripod.com

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
Oblivion is right. The Texas band Tearabyte creates Sludgy Doom Metal like few others. Their latest offering of drear, titled "Embrace Oblivion" [Screaming Ferret Wreckords], is an abyssal slab of sonic gloom charged with pure intensity. The vocals are midrange with a slight (very slight) aggressive quality.  The guitars have a sludgy, distorted clamor.  Tearabyte is massive. The best songs include "Pissing Contest," the crushing attack of "One More Day," "Spear Of Destiny," "Strike The Enemy," and "Embrace Oblivion." In summary, Tearabyte can hold their own with the masters of the style. And they will just get better. So, get with the gloom. Stay savage. Farewell. Related Bands: Saint Vitus, Down, Obsessed, SunnO))), Unearth,  Trouble, Stygian, Black Sabbath, Boris, Cathedral, Sons Of Otis, Goliath, Electric Wizard, etc. Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.  Piece. (Bill Vogel III) Copyright 2002.

 

Westwood One - The Fax April 2,2002
Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
It's metal the way it was supposed to be. Hard, thrash, in-your-face, and sung by leader
Al Mead. Check out Tearabyte at the New Jersey Metal Meltdown IV, April 6, 2002
.

 

Harderbeat - March 2001
www.harderbeat.com

Tearabyte - Embrace Oblivion (Screaming Ferret Wreckords)
Old school metal lives again. Terrabyte is a local metal band that’s embraced the sound of the roots of metal. (Compare their sound to Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All or Slayer’s Show No Mercy). They’ve captured the intensity and anger that all those nu-metal bands seem to have forgotten. Album highlights include “Road Rage,” “Tear It Up” and “Screaming Pig Fucker..” The entire CD is laced with the attitude of thrash with elements of good, old-fashioned heavy metal. Check these guys out.
You’ll hear what metal should sound like. (Matt Adkins)