Foe - Madness (2010)

   Foe was a short lived project that definitely wasn't formed being fired up by the motivation to take place amongst the thrash/death metal elite. Instead they've played kind of an alternative and uncommon style of the genre, that's maybe the best way to shortly describe as primitive.
   This primitiveness comes from 2 things: first the nearly rehearsal sound quality, that tells about a low budget release. That's not necassarily bad, since the album sounds quite nostalgic therefore, and  because probably the members were not "young titans" that time either, "Madness" authentically recalls the old school feeling of the early '90s. The second thing comes from the simplicity of their themes, and from keeping things kind of low. They didn't seem trying to impress with any extremities. "Madness" doesn't lack thrashing, but slow downs to middle speed are common and longer lasting. They preferred simple melodies that are effecting mostly as catchy leads, but sometimes also creating a quite sick atmosphere. All assisted by deep growling vocal. It sounds like the band was mainly interested to express a heavy and obscure impression that could be compared to bands like Ascaris and Apophis, since there is some analogy to find how their songs and concept were built up. The direct influence of Ascaris also could be imagined. Despite the primitive tone of "Madness" the album shows way wider perspective than how it might be expected at the beginning. With time further depths getting introduced slowly, step by step like if the album was some factfinding confession. In total it might be enjoyable for the old school fans of the genre.