Originally written by Mat Hocking · 15 October 2002
Bates Motel
Deux Ex Machina
Label: Release Date: 15/10/2002
According to their press release Bates Motel *_“play metal the way it should be”_, which for me, brings to mind bands like *Manowar, Sodom *and *Overkill. Fortunately for BM there are none of those elements present on this demo, the band instead focussing on a more distinct hybrid of Tool, mid-paced Entombed *and *Corrosion of Conformity.
And in a world of metal where angst-ridden screams are the dish of the day it’s refreshing to hear a new band that just plays good heavy music that's not pre-occupied by image or unneeded DJs. Nu-metal this is not for BM churn out some tantalising stoner grooves that blatantly demand a high volume level. Their vocalist James possesses some truly unique vocals that most people would kill for, thus giving BM some real character.
This may not be what the kids are used to in this day and age but Bates Motel have that quality that's been increasingly lacking in modern metal music.
• 7 Mat Hocking's Score