Band: Hocico
Album: Wrack and ruin
Released: 2004
Label: Out of Line / Metropolis
For most people Hocico is well known band. The Mexican duo is one of the most successful bands of the past few years. Through the years they managed to re-shape their style every new album. Therefore every album has a really different sound. In 2002 their album Signos de Abberacion already sounded more polished than the older albums. On Wrack and Ruin they continue this style and managed to cut away most of the rough edges. The main difference between Signos de Abberacion and Wrack and Ruin is the vocal distortion. The distortion on Wrack and Ruin sounds computerish and that takes away a bit of the vibe.
Fortunately the album is full of real Hocico songs and manages to convince. The single of the album, Born To Be (Hated), is one of the best songs of the album. Other great songs are: Stories of the Third World and Spirits of Crime. The songs are all harsh, but never bore. The album has enough diversion. There is an instrumental song, Oracion Nocturna, which is a bit long (more thant 8 minutes). That track could have been shortened.
Wrack and Ruin is a good album, but sadly Hocico cut away most rough edges. Fortunately the album managed to convince me.
Rating: 8/10
