Strictly Diesel

Artist: Spineshank
Label: Roadrunner Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 016861872526
EAN: 0016861872526
ASIN: B00000AGA2

Release Date: 1998-09-22

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Nu Metal
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Tracks:

Intake
Stovebolt
Shinebox
Where We Fall
Detached
Slipper
40 Below
Strictly Diesel
Grey
*28
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
If It Breathes
Mend
Stain (Start The Machine)

Similar Items:

The Height of Callousness
Self-Destructive Pattern
Revolution Revolución
Confession
Sevas Tra (Dig)

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Start.......2005-12-24

Spineshank has always been one of my favorite nu-metal/metal bands, beginning with their 1998 debut "Strictly Diesel". While this isn't nearly their best album (that honor would go to the follow up "The Height Of Callousness") and at times the band seems to drift off into strange territory, "Strictly Diesel" offers a nice look at a group that was finding their sound and moving ahead to becoming a premium band in their scene and the heavy music world. If you are a fan of any of Spineshank's material, chances are there is at least something on this cd that is going to garner your interest, although maybe not immediately as say "The Height Of Callousness" or "Self Destructive Pattern" did. All in All "Strictly Diesel" is a nice nostalgic look at when this band was first coming into a nu-metal heavy music scene, and proving they could match up with the genre's best.

Upon first listen, especially if you are used to Spineshank's newer material, you will notice a big difference in sound. Whereas the second and third albums are a lost faster and melodic, "Strictly Diesel" at times can seem to move kind of slow and not be as focused. The opening track "Intake" is a prime example of this. While it is arguably one of the album's best tracks, it's not at all how you would expect Spineshank to open an album (considering the other two album openers "Asthmatic" and "Violent Mood Swings). Instead of hitting you fast and heavy from the opening note, "Intake" slowly builds from the verse into a moderately paced, somewhat melodic chorus where Jonny Alternates between some screams and clean vocals. This is more or less along the lines which the album takes, so if you like what you hear with "Intake", you're going to be pleased, and if you don't, stay away. The band was obviously capable of making great music as shone by the aforementioned "Intake", "Where We Fall", "Detached", "40 Below" and "Stain". Musically the band isn't nearly as talented as they would become, although Jonny's voice is still in top form. While most of the other tracks are solid as well, these are definitely the stand outs. However the album definitely suffers from a lack of diversity. Some songs sound strangely similar to one another; some just miss the target completely. The electronics, which were later a very important part of Spineshank's sound, are also very sparsely used, and more or less a background element. I can understand this since this was their first effort, but in some places the electronics would have been much better had they been pushed forward.

In the end "Strictly Diesel" serves its purpose: it gave the band a solid foundation so they were able to jump off into to even heavier and more creative territory on their following two albums. While it's most certainly not the best Spineshank record you can buy, there's much worse out there floating around in the nu-metal/hard rock world. This is a recommended listen for fans of the band, and those who appreciate metal in the vein of Fear Factory. "Strictly Diesel" isn't a classic, or even a standout album, but it's definitely one that deserves a listen. "Starting The Machine", is what this record did.

Melody with Madness.......2005-10-11

This is the best music I have heard since Deftones. This is my second favorite band besides, of course, Deftones. They sound a lot like Deftones but still have a different way of making music. Spineshank is a little more aggresive. These guys mix melody in with the maddness perfectly and dont go over board with either of them. I cant explain in words how good these guys are and when you listen to them I'm sure you'll fell the same. [...] I greatly appretiate your feedback. Man I wish these reveiw things had spell check.

introducing.....spineshank.......2005-09-01

This record is the debut album from the broken up band spineshank....

This album is unique in some areas, but not like in an impressive way....

This cd sounds A LOT different than all theyre other cd's, this wuz before all the electronics they have merged a lot in thier 2 follow up cds..

Its kinda generic at most, cuz on most songs, tha songs sound alike and some of the gutar riffs and patterns......the lyrics stood out mostly........

A Nice, Healthy Dosage Of Melodic Metal.......2005-03-31

Spineshank have never been a perfect band, far from consistent, but with this, their 1998 debut album, they definitely show what they are capable of, with melding their heavy metal influences with a more stream-lined, catchy song-writing dynamic -- which, ultimately, led to the exit of frontman Johnny Santos. Santos is more than just the average nu-metal howler. The guy has a very distinctive sound, ranging through some hair-raising screams to a very smooth singing voice. The band's music is, despite not having much identity, very competent and can give their peers in more popular groups a run for their money. The album was produced by Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Seether) and Orgy guitarist Amir Derakh. If you just look at the resumes of these guys, or where they come from, you'll know what to expect from their work on Spineshank's debut. Although it's not as electronic and hooky as the follow-up, "The Height Of Callousness" or as schizophrenic as their third, "Self-Destructive Pattern," "Strictly Diesel" is still a solid album that will, no doubt, appeal to all fans of nu-metal (yes, this is nu-metal, proof that the genre ain't so bad). The problem with this album, however, is that a lot of the songs just melt into each other and don't have much variety to them. A few standouts include "Detached," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (a cover of the classic Beatles song) and "Stain," the closing track that features guest vocals by Fear Factory frontman Burton C. Bell. Personally, whenever I put this album in, these are the songs I tend to gravitate towards. Not that the rest of the album is bad, it's just too much of the same. They definitely got better with their future albums, it's just too bad the original line-up isn't together anymore. If you want to take a little trip through time, back to when nu-metal was at it's peak and was actually spawning good music, Spineshank's "Strictly Diesel" is a good choice. Hell, even if you just want good songwriting and great vocals in your metal, it's worth a shot.

One of the few Nu Metal bands who got it right.......2005-01-15

I had low expectations for this band when i heard that they were like Korn (fashioncore). But when i gave this album a chance, it really impressed me. These guys are nu-metal but not the sellout style that people who like rap listen to. These guys can be mellow and then in an instant start rocking (pretty much every song). These are my ratings for the individual songs (5 being an average song, not 9.5):

Intake - 5/10: Perfect intro and blended perfectly into their chorus. Didn't really like the bridge, but still a really good song to break the ice for anyone who's doubting this band's potential.

Stove Bolt - 5/10: This song has a good verse and end of chorus when he blends the 2 vocals into one. Not much else to say about it. Not very diverse throughout the song.

Shinebox - 6/10: Similair to Stove Bolt but there are more elements to it in my opinion. I like pretty much the whole song, especially the outro.

Where We Fall - 9/10: The craziest song on the album. I like the intro/verse the most. It rocks. The guitar goes great with the vocals.

Detached - 8/10: One of the slower songs in the intro and verse, and emotional. The chorus is my favorite part. It's smooth and somewhat emotional and heavy at the same time.

Slipper - 6/10: Another mellowed out song. In my opinion i dont think they do as good of a job at it as Detached. About a minute they're about to go into the chorus and stop. They did the verse twice and it didnt flow good. The chorus is the best part of the song.

40 Below - 3/10: The worst intro and outro on the cd. The verse isnt that good either. The song doesnt flow at all and has different parts that dont connect.

Strictly Diesel - 6/10: Another attempt of the techno going into the guitar breakdown on the intro. They do a better job this time around. I also like the verse. It's my favorite part. The chorus is a little too soft.

Grey - 4/10: One of the weaker songs in the album. They dont even have an intro and just skip to the verse. They did the same thing in where we fall, but that song actually had a good verse. The chorus is also too soft, like strictly diesel. I like the bridge. That's why this song is a 4, not a 3.

28 - 5/10: It's another average song on the album. Nothing new.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - 5/10: Another slower song in the intro and they pull off a copy of Brainstew by Green Day on the second part of the verse. On the chorus the singer sounds drunk but i like the guitar. The bridge is likewise.

If it Breathes - 6/10: I didnt get into the intro until about 20 seconds in. The verse is pretty good. It's slow and blends into the chorus smoothly.

Mend - 7/10: Not a bad song. Kinda weird later into the song but in a good way.

Stain - 7/10: Great way to end the cd. You finally get a long awaited heavy song that was missing in the second half of the album.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

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