Mind Funk
Dropped

THE REVIEW

Dropped: Downloaded, abandoned, excluded.

A strange musical story is that of Mind Funk; they formed at the dusk of the eighties in New Jersey thanks to the impetus and drive of veterans from the Hardcore Metal scene like singer Pat Dubar (ex-Uniform Choice), bassist John Monte, and guitarist Louis Svitek (both ex-M.O.D.). They were noticed by "Epic Record" who signed them and released their promising self-titled debut in 1991: a very rough yet effective crossover of Metal, Funk, and Punk attitude. But right after that, the incident occurred, an unsolved mystery even decades later: despite great reviews and good appreciation from the public, the record company dropped them without any warning.

It must not have been easy for the band to walk into the "Epic" studios, where an appointment with a certain Terry Date (Soundgarden - Batmotorfinger need I say more!!!) awaited them to produce their new album, only to be told, just after finishing defining and arranging the first sketches of the songs, that they had to pack their bags and leave.

But Mind Funk did not give up; they bared their claws and teeth and were determined to proceed with their second album, immediately choosing a symbolic and self-ironic title. Terry Date offered them the opportunity for at least a decent production, trying in every possible way to make the most with the very few dollars available.

The result is a solid, strong, compact work; at times romantic and passionate, thanks in particular to Pat's voice. The tormented soul of the band is highlighted by suggestive and melancholic acoustic guitar inlays; there are also electric parts and a vigorous drive reminiscent of their more metallic past. Not forgetting that emphasis, that momentum that brings them closer to the Seattle scene. Powerful and structured Hard riffs, dark atmospheres enough to be compared to Soundgarden's "Louder Than Love" in tracks like the masterful opener "Goddess," the mystical "In The Way Eye," the spiritual and concluding "Hollow."

The dramatic events they had to endure acted as propellant, a vigorous push for a work that I personally consider among the best of the entire nineties.

Great Mind Funk, no bullshit...DROWNING...

Ad Maiora.