Class of Zero deliver feisty metal
You know what you’re in for with Class of Zero as soon as you glance upon the stylised gun-toting dude on the cover. Class of Zero are good at what they do, although equally so are many other nu-metal/metal bands.
The first song “Incomplete” is full of the kind of destructive energy that you imagine going hand in hand with instrument and probably audience destruction. It’s full of the kind of clichéd lyrics, “the pain is rising to my head/maybe I’d be better off dead”, that would be mocked anywhere else, but are catchy and acceptable enough in such a metal anthem. “Unreal As It Gets” descends into nu-metal rap and heavy Rage Against The Machine-esque riffs, after supporting a catchy and highly- charged chorus. “Forever” sees an equally powerful style, but with more constraint shown in the chorus, making for a more tuneful and less full-on track. “S.O.B” with some of the most honest and unconstrained lyrics, “why don’t people like me? / Because I’m a prick”, if they can ever be forgiven for such uninventive words, the song does pick up and ends with a spiky guitar lick. “Buried” is edgy and captives a frustrated rock energy with guitar supporting and working desperately beneath the steady lyrical onslaught of singer Ryan Rainey.
The 10 tracks on this album are a relentless whirlwind through the heady world of Class Of Zero, however with little break from the standard metal refrain, it runs the risk of becoming a blurred dirge, but only to someone who isn’t a connoisseur of the genre.
This Californian metal crew have toured with Motorhead and Sepultra, and it’s easy to see why, they’re full of anger and driven tunes, but unlikely to be a challenge to such masters.