Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Non-Human Level - Non-Human Level - 2006 - Listenable Records

Track Listing1. Divine Creation Of Void 2. Personal Hell 3. Windows On The World 4. The Second Plane 5. Instincts 6. Journal For A Nightmare 7. Water 8. Untrustable Surface 9. The Genetic Failure 10. Freaking Goose

Fans of Darkane should find pleasure in the fact that guitarist Christofer Malmstrom is the main man behind Non-Human level, a Swedish thrash outfit that incorporates the same sort of elements from Darkane into a more streamlined yet dynamic approach. While Darkane exists on a whole new level of experimentation and hybrid melodic wonderings, this side-project features a much more widely accepted sound, never quite emerging into the realms of power metal or hard rock, but certainly using the same sort of melody based structures and groove oriented building blocks on which to lay a full album of hooks and virtuoso riffing. This is the debut album from what could or could not be a one off project, with a solid distribution courtesy of France's Listenable Records.

When Malmstrom and Darkane released "Rusted Angel" in 1999, thoughts of a solo album were entering the guitarist's mind. At the time his love of Yngwie Malmsteen was starting to become more of an inspiration to him. With that in mind he started writing a few of his own songs, at times really trying to decide which band to send them to. After finally deciding on Non-Human Level as an achievable goal he set out putting together a band. Darkane drummer Peter Wildoer pulls different duty for this recording, instead going from behind the kit to front of the stage, his voice being the perfect fit for this band's quick attack. On drums comes Ryan Van Poederooyen, on loan from the Devin Townsend Band. The album was produced and engineered by Malmstrom and recorded at Not Quite Studio in Sweden.

This full length really goes through all of the proper motions, giving and gouging with strong, ripping tracks that showcase a solid thrash backbone. Some cuts shake like Destruction, Kreator, or even Terror 2000, while other cuts rely much more on showboating riffs, allowing plenty of time for Malmstrom to shred on some outstanding melodic lead playing. His solos are very much in the neo-classical style here, obviously showing off his love for Malmsteen with these cuts.

Bottom Line - A thrash record that is very diverse in its marriage of thrash and melody. Fantastic playing from some seasoned veterans.



--EC 08.16.06