Drain S T H Freaks Of Nature CD

Drain S.T.H.: Maria Sjoholm (vocals); Flavia Canel (guitar); Anna K (bass); Martina Axen (drums, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Herbie Crichlow (rap vocals); Nico Elgstrand (acoustic guitar); Stefan Brisland-Ferner, Fleshquartet (strings).
Personnel: Maria Sjöholm (vocals); Flavia Canel (guitar); Nico Elgstrand (acoustic guitar); Stefan Brisland-Ferner (strings); Martina Axén (drums, background vocals); Sank (programming, loops).
Audio Mixer: Stefan Glaumann.
Recording information: Atlantis (1998-1999); Cheiron Studio, Stockholm, Sweden (1998-1999); Decibel (1998-1999); First Take (1998-1999); MVG Studios (1998-1999); Soundtrade (1998-1999).
Arrangers: Drain S.T.H.; Max Martin; Sank.
Drain S.T.H. take a major step forward on Freaks of Nature, a more consistent record than their debut. The melodies of their grungy, detuned, slightly electronic-tinged metal songs still have a deliberate, sinister feel, but the band demonstrates a greater mastery of songcraft, rendering those melodies consistently memorable and outdoing most of their contemporaries in that department. As such, the occasional dull riff isn't quite so conspicuous, since the songs don't rely entirely on the guitars for their melodic hooks. The production, too, is generally quite good, if a little slick; the only glaring misstep is an awkward pseudo-rap bit in "Simon Says." Freaks of Nature is that rare bird in the mid- to late '90s: a heavy metal record that manages to meet the decade's new standard for heaviness while at the same time relying on high-caliber songwriting to put the music across, instead of gimmicky production or cartoonishly excessive aggression. Overall, it's refreshingly well done. ~ Steve Huey
Appearances can be deceiving. These four young Swedish ladies may look like they've just stepped out of a fashion shoot, but they're bona fide heavy metal monsters. Like its predecessor, FREAKS OF NATURE delivers an unrelenting stream of ferocious hard rock. Crushingly heavy guitar riffs delve equally into '70s proto-metal and '90s grunge. Jackhammer drums pound out bone-crunching rhythms. The group's surprisingly adroit harmonies contrast the heaviness with just the right blend of stridency and sweetness. There's a touch more accessibility here than on the band's debut, but the hooks in no way mitigate the hard-rock glory of FREAKS OF NATURE.Rolling Stone (8/5/99, p.69) - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5) - "...super-heavy and way melodic....a giant leap over not just their debut but also most efforts from the supposed new metal renaissance....America, meet Metal Spice times four."
CMJ (6/28/99, p.26) - "...The ladies hold their own in the world of modern rock, belting out Godzilla-sized riffs behind the feminine yet assertive vocals of Maria Sjoholm....a dark album blessed with hooks amidst the metallic chords and deep, churning rhythms..."