By Vinnie Apicella

In following up their improbable reunion that saw the release of '98's "Savior Self", an intuitive return to rekindle their spirit for metal, the Lorenzo/Tecchio team discovered that they still had more to offer with the arrival of "The Downside". Their new album, with enough twists and turns and alternate routes to lead their creative drive, finds them at a peak of ambitiousness and an album that excels at all levels. The first thing we notice here is that the songs are looser, more adventuresome than usual, as is the general vibe that sees them broadening their range without sacrifice of form or metal substructure. Critical messages run amok much like last time as "Ground Zero N.Y.C." makes an immediate impact in its contempt of hatred in the relative breeding ground of ill will. "Bitter Suite #1" constitutes their intent with "The Downside" and how negativity festers away at the soul adding to the sad contemptuous state of affairs we often find ourselves in. "Pay the Price" takes a wide right for the band as drummer Dave Lescinsky grunts and growls a disapproval of greed and the mistrust that results, styled lyrically in similar fashion to a feature concept of "Savior Self". Mellowing momentarily, "It's a Wonderful Lie" falls to a dream sequence-like pattern, finding Tecchio in deep lamentation for one of the more tastefully done slow pieces. In what could well be an advanced stage to the preceding, "Become Dust" maintains the pace, letting out with more ferocity, amidst an unraveling barrage of drumming, and though the songs don't quite fit conceptually, they seem to just fit… back to back. "The Downside" takes the best elements of the last album and runs with them, stretching past limitations, adding surprise guest contributors, and for the year 2000, lays the groundwork for what could be the most promising future yet for a band who not long ago was thought to have faded in flames…

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