FLESH RODEO - Tellurium-128

This record is one I had been waiting for with baited breath for more than one year, and this is due to a few shows in which the boys of Flesh Rodeo presented their art. Fortunately, it was worth the wait. Tellurium-128 is the kind of album one can rarely hear around here. While I couldn’t say that the five from Bucharest bring us the most original sounds in the world (it’s easy to notice influences from Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Alice In Chains and not only), but, despite all that, the music we find here can hold its own against the underground scenes of developed countries.
 

Flesh Rodeo is labelled (including by some of its members) as an alternative metal with traces of progressive. As everyone is entitled to their opinion, especially when it comes to art, personally I feel that progressive is what dominates the band’s music, assisted by alternative, hardcore or grunge. Still, what’s most important is that Flesh Rodeo didn’t “play it safe”, copying a similar style with one or several successful bands from the West - as some still do around these places - but have chosen their own way, combining elements that, while a bit out of fashion, sound better than ever.

A crucial ingredient of this musical success is the impeccable sound, for which we have to thank Marius Costache - who, in my opinion, is the best studio sound engineer in this country. Songs are not very alert, they are laid back and calculated, guitar riffs go deep and are the strong point of the album. Tellurium-128 is extremely sticky, choruses remain in your mind from the first listen, and here I mean especially the super ...with Nothing Beyond Death, Human and Collars. However, at this moment my favourite is No Judgement Day, a song with killing riffs, reminding me at times of Rage Against the Machine.

For me, this is one of the best albums ever released in Romania, and this is because it is made with a lot of nerve and enthusiasm, things that are entirely absent from our common mind set. Add a little talent, a ton of work, and it’s impossible not to come up with something of this quality. Whoever does not believe what I just said is free to spin the album. If this doesn’t convince you, all you can do is show up at their concerts because you don’t know what you’re missing!!!

Fantotzii Nota: 9