Solidify (1999, Metal Blade)
Lineup: Dave Lombardo (drums), Gus Chambers (vocals), Stuart Carruthers (bass), Waldemar
Sorychta (guitars, keyboards).
Style: speed/thrash metal in a modernized Slayer vein
This is Grip, Inc.'s third installment and it shows that the band has matured well.
Naturally, this is a drummer's band although the production of "Solidify" relegates the
drums to their normal position (unlike the first two albums, where they were way too dominant).
The tight style is a modernized version of Slayer although this sells the band short. The music
is mostly fast, energetic, and loud, with irregular rhythmic patterns and uncompromising
arrangements. Gus possesses superb masculine vocals, and Waldemar (moving from his producer's
seat) turns out to be a great guitar player; as expected, Dave's drumming is absolutely amazing.
Without doubt, he is one of the most competent drummers today. "Amped" is probably the defining
song of the album, with "Lockdown" and "Foresight" ranking near the top as well. These are all
fast-paced and aggressive songs. Lyricwise, the subject matter is loss, alienation, or
technological maladjustment. "Thirty years of nothing..." conveys the feeling well.
Verdict: the best of the three (up to 1999), definitely a good buy.
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