Jason Newstead was always the bassist who did what the other told him to do during the 14 years which he spent in Metallica. One year after he left the band, Echobrain�s first album came out (self titled album). Newstead gathered two people around him in this project, Dylan Donkin (guitar and vocals) and Brian Gagrafena (drums).

I was actually really surprised when I listened to the CD for the first time. Remembering Newstead�s output of the mid-90�s, which was mainly grind-core metal, I expected to hear something that sounded like Napalm Death or Cannibal Corpse.

The band plays advanced melodic rock combined with grunge, reminding the listener of something in between Soundgarden and Travis gone hardcore. Dylan Donkin�s vocals, drifting somewhere Ozzy Osbourne and Blur�s Damon Albarn, add something really special to the sound of the album. The production standard is not as high the standard of Metallica�s Load album (believed to be one of the best produced rock albums ever) , but not that far away.

This album is clearly one that would have deserved more attention, Echobrain are adding something completely new to the American rock scene with weird style. This album deserves a spin in your CD-player.

Year Released: 2002
Label: Surfdog Records
Related Link: Echobrain Official Site
Date Reviewed: 2005-01-10
Author: Georg Alexander