Nu Metal/Ozzfest stalwarts Coal Chamber
released their latest oeuvre, Dark Days, after three years out of the studio
and with bass player Rayna Foss returning from maternity leave. And while
their return may delight the band’s fans and the genre’s aficionados, ‘Chamber
don’t really do much to draw in new fans on the new album. The band’s previous
collection, 1999’s Chamber Music, featured a duet with metal godfather
and Jack and Kelly’s father Ozzy Osbourne on a cover of Peter Gabriel’s
“Shock the Monkey;” however, the new album does not bare any new noteworthy
sonic treats that venture past the band’s mudhole-stomping rhythm metal.
Songs like the title track and “One Step”
stand out, but only in the way that a lighter shade of black stands out
against other blacks. “Rowboat” attempts to be the most twisted track on
the album, with lead singer Dez Fafara repeating “Butterflies in the jar”
and whisper-screaming “Get out of my rowboat” among other nonsense lyrics
that prove, if only for three minutes and forty seconds or so, that the
band was trying too hard. Other than that, much of this album feels like
the four-piece outfit is going through the motions.
VERDICT: These songs have the energy that
they would probably sound good live; however, they don’t do much coming
out of the stereo. Just because the album is called Dark Days doesn’t mean
there can’t be any bright spots. Or maybe that was the plan; in which case
Dark Days is also a weak concept album.
Dan Grote is a contributing
writer for the iconoFAN Network
Your
Turn, What do you think?
Fan
Speak:
Posted by Slipknotslavef-ever:
Disturbed1! What is wrong with you? you don't know anything! If you don't like metal then go somewhere else but leave everyone else alone. God, you act like you know music.
Posted by lavey:
indeed coal chamber is one of the most kick ass bands out there right now...the first time i heard them i melted inside its like you can just see through the lyrics... you dont find bands like them oftem
Posted by Cat:
I think Disturbed1 is a complete idiot who should go listen to the misfits or something. Metal is about not caring about what people have to complain about, and while not caring, having fun and partying. If you can't be more open-minded then go do what you phucks do best. Listen to music that is trendy and go find a stereotype in society where you can "fit in." Death Metal and Black Metal are both great. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it sucks.
Posted by Devilineden:
This is the kind of music that I wish to ram down everyones throats, blackened madness, brilliant, light years ahead of the previous releases, makes me want to be insane.
Posted by Disturbed1:
Cannibal Corpse? What the Fu#k. How do people listen to sh*t like death metal. They all sound the same, you can't even understand a goddam word that they say, they all blow. Disturbed is god, Death metal is Sh*t. Exhorder, FU#K off cocksucker!!
Posted by TheMuscle:
Dark Days is the greatest album there is.My favourite band is RATM but still I like this one better even the self titled RAGE AGAINST album.Rowboat is my favourite track so before you judge it I suggest you listen to it better.The concept of the album is great."DARK DAYS".Every song is related to it because each one has dark and pesimistic lyrics.Hope all of you metal listeners die of throat cancer.Coal Chamber rules!and Dez but also Meegs are great
Posted by Shade:
Exhorder and Dan Grote obviously don't know sh!t about realism or energy within metal. Compare the difference between a bloodcurling scream from "Coal Chamber" or "Spineshank", with the weak-ass unrealistic scream (if you can even call it that) of "Cannibal Corpse" or "Napalm Death".
Anyone could sound like them without trying. Do you yell like "Napalm Death" when you get mad, Exhorder? Please say yes so you can become an even bigger joke, sissy. You are such a moron that you don't even know that C. Chamber was there long before "Nu-Metal" was spoken.
So answer me this, Exhorder...... if you don't like Coal Chamber, then why did you look them up on here??????? Sissy. And to Dan Grote, your "anti-review" idea is a f*cking joke that just shows everyone how truly worthless you really are. Obviously you would rather destroy art than actually have an open mind to it. Metal will always grow......
Posted by Tha_(SIC)ness:
All you bitches who think new metal like coal chamber, slipknot, and others suck, can suck my white dick... Now im not one of these ppl who just listen to new s.hit, i like pantera, metallica, and ozzy, just as much as the next guy, but some bitch ass loser (not to mention any names :EXHORDER) on here thought i should listen to such bands as "cannibal corpse"? what the f.uck is up with that... anyways, Devildriver is sweet check it out
Posted by Someone:
Who could be smart with the name Grote? Coal Chamber is just awesome, Dark Days isn't their best album, but it still kicks ass
Posted by fret:
anybody help me out here? just recently got turned on to coal chamber and they tear some sh*t up. I say Fiend was on a movie soundtrack and friend says I'm crazy. web search didn't answer my question. anybody help?
Posted by kitty cat:
coal chamber is the most awesome band......if u dont like them u SHOULD DIE!!
Posted by jake:
dan grote u suck coal chamber kicks ass
Posted by jake:
dan grote u suck coal chamber kicks ass
Posted by rockerdude:
this band is hella tight dont talk s*** about it
they're hella tight
Posted by 666cradleoffilth666:
TO Exhorder.
you need to stop going around and talking out of your ass because we like a band. Dont you think that Slayer,MESHUGGAH,and Megadeath were all NEW at one time....(keyword-NEW). And I like Meshuggah too. So stop talking out of your ass and shut the F#^k up.
Im 13 and im not a stupid ass like you.
Posted by Peter:
I think Dan Grote is a moron. Coal Chambers new album Dark Days was awesome! It is just as good as their self titled album. It makes up for Chamber Music's crap. I think everyone who said "old music is better! Listen to this blah blah blah!" I'm sorry but you are a complete idiot. Wake up! It's 2002! It isn't the 70's or 80's idiot! Sure the old stuff is good but people have created new styles because the old stuff got boring. THAT'S WHY PEOPLE CREATED RAP AND POP! YOU IDIOTS! WE ARE TRYING TO WIN PEOPLE BACK WITH MUSIC THAT SOUNDS COOL TO OUR STANDARDS OF TODAY AND TO PLEASE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LISTENT TO METAL MUSIC! To everyone who says that Coal Chamber sucks and that their new album sucked are all stupid. If I could I would smack you right now. Coal Chamber rock on!
Posted by special ed:
i got mail
Posted by Chamberfan0120:
I think this guy's opinion of Dark Days sucks. He should stick to his day job. While Dark Days might not be as good as Chamber Music, it's still better than the self titled debut and it's better than most rock albums that the majority of bands put out. I think Dark Days rocks!
Posted by amandapanda:
defintaely an amazing album, although i prefer the first one-but "fiend", "friend?" and "rowboat" are all amazing.
Posted by charles lee ray:
this cd is a very great improvement from their last albums. CC rox!!
fav tracks: "friend?" "empty jar" and "watershed"
Posted by Exhorder:
Man you all suk you nu metal fags! Coal chamber. wat a fuken joke of a band. Goddamn they wanna rip off korn, then zombie, then manson the steal a whole song from stuck mojo and call it their own song(fiend). They along with almost every other nu metal band suck. And dont think i forgot u either(rammstein sux ass to!). Listen to real metal like Exhorder(the real deal not the watered down version known as pantera), Megadeth(old), Fear Factory, Slayer, opeth, In flames, Messhugah, Borknogar, Cannibal corpse, etc.
Posted by Rammstein:
An absolutely pathetic offering. None of the songs even come close in comparison to Loco. And I agree - Ozzy sucks. Rammstein - Mutter. Best album on the planet. Get it.
Posted by jose:
is cool
Posted by The :
"Glow" was the song featured on "The Scorpion King" soundtrack. And Xykome is a f***ing moron for saying that the Father of All Metal sucks. Without Ozzy around, Coal Chamber would probably sound like some sissy-core band. Viva la Deftones!!!
Posted by Slipknot loves your mama:
Haven't heard the whole album yet(it's on my to get list). Fiend is cool. I agree that shock the monkey wasn't the most impressive song I've ever heard. Which one of these Coal Chamber songs where on the Scorpion King soundtrack?(or were their any?!)That song was pretty tight. Piss on this review, it's only from this writers opinion.
Posted by xykome:
i hope they won't do another track with ozzy on the new album(dark days). practically shock the monkey sucked. i hope the new album would be as hard as the first album. anyway coal chamber still rocks. but no more ozzy. kill ozzy!
Posted by xykome:
i hope they won't do another track with ozzy on the new album(dark days). practically shock the monkey sucked. i hope the new album would be as hard as the first album. anyway coal chamber still rocks. but no more ozzy. kill ozzy!
Posted by patrik (not patrick):
They fcking rock that all there is to say about that
Posted by Loagrl420:
Ummm....can't really comment on the new disc as I don't have it, BUT I saw them at The World in NYC a few months ago & based on their killer, show, I say they kick ass in first class. They played several new songs from this disc and I was blown away. Can't wait to see them again at the Birch Hill in Jersey!!
Posted by draxon:
Ahhh what did they do... this cd was horible compared to chamber music..
Posted by patrick:
it fcking rocks! go cc!
Posted by the fly:
u kids are idiots, coal chamber's new album is their best to date, and is full of good songs 4/5.2.....2!!! what a lame a$$ rating, are u my grandma? go drink some lemonade. u fools.
Posted by fhtfghhgf:
bnyhtydhb bv bhgjhgj
Posted by charlie manson:
I am fully aware that kids these days no nothing about real music.I mean its not there faults they been brought up in the mtv generation they genrally dont no there is a whole world of other music out there. Look at there idols (fred durst for christ sake)
Posted by Mr. huh? saying, "My Generation Sucks!":
Don't you know that today's kids are morons.
Posted by CHARLIE MANSON:
i DON'T GET cOAL CHAMBER BUT THE KIDS SEEM TO LOVE IT,
