Hellride Music - Zakas - Illigitumus Non Carborundum (MCC Records)

Zakas - Illigitumus Non Carborundum (MCC Records)
by Michael Ballue
November 17, 2003

Illigitumus Non Carborundum ("Don't Let The Bastards Grind You Down"), indeed it would be very difficult to grind down a band this all over the place. Apparently the brain child of drummer Zakas (with a little help from 26 other musicians) INC starts with what is definitely surf music, but with a menacing tone to it. Tarck 2 brings a Progressive and Jazz hybrid with female vocals. Track three is definitely metal but quirky (good stuff). Track 4 is metal with a pirate story spoken over it. The following two continue the pirate theme only to be replaced by track 8 with a Latin theme ("El Chupacabra") where a solid metal song has female Spanish vocals and then...a Latin Horn Section over it. If you're getting the feeling this is all over the map you'd be right. Progressive and Jazz influences continue to pop up and Surf makes a return both musically and lyrically for the outro. Mars gets a lyrical turn and also some downright frightening lyrical hatred on "Reusable" ("Liar, Liar, face on fire, what you need is red hot pliers, digging in, ripping skin, tear away all your sins" and it sounds from the heart, yikes!).

If this gives you the idea this CD is one big mess, you'd be wrong. It all somehow works and holds attention well. The production could definitely use some more punch, but the musicianship standard is high. For the most part traditional metal, but at the same time like no metal you've ever heard (although at times a slight resemblance to Sacred Blade is noticeable). When you're ready for something really different.

Visit the Zakas website at www.mccmusic.com/zakdex.html