Headtrip

In 2001, Philippine rap-metal band Slapshock released Headtrip. Slapshock's music is harsh and uncompromising, and is patterned upon the hard rock and rap-metal of such bands as Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, and Korn. Slapshock's lyrics cover a wide range of human feelings and societal observances, often emoting angst and a dissatisfaction with the status quo. The opening, "Get Away," the first part of which is an introduction to the song and album, starts with a repeated riff played on the guitar's bottom strings, as well as electronic beeps similar to those heard on Limp Bizkit's "Intro" (from 1999's Significant Other). The next part of "Get Away" starts with a hard-edged chord progression, as the thunderous guitars pave the way for the rapping of vocalist Jamir Garcia. The song also contains melodic figures sung tenderly by Garcia, who also interjects harsh, growl-throated screeches between them. The use of a short, tender melodic line answered by raucous growls is heard often in the album. Throughout Headtrip, Slapshock's instrumentation and vocals are precise and taut, and exhibit much synergy. The album's first nine songs offer much imaginative riffing and rapping, and contain innovative tempo changes and instrumental breaks. The band explores new creative territory on Headtrip, and "Like You" is built around a sustained melody. On the album's last four songs, however, the band seems to be repeating itself, and the music sounds derivative, although "Sick Curtain (Cyco Remix)" contains a dreamy, jazz-inspired sequence. Most of this album is quite good and interesting.