Maximum Metal Reviews

Maximum Metal Rating Legend

5	Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4	Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5	Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3	Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2	Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1	Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0	Terrible - Waste of your life and time.
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Band

the missing:

Title

bLEEd

Type

LP/EP

Company

Independent

YOR

2004

Style

Industrial

Popular Reviews

4/8/2005 - Review by: Frank Hill

the missing: - bLEEd - 2004

Track Listing
1. broken
2. scary kitty
3. belief
4. in two
5. Scarecrow

More than just a female-led goth band, the missing: meshes elements of traditional power, industrial and goth into a dark ambiance of mood that eases you comfortably into solace until potent lead vocalist, DM--confident and sure as a cat, scratches the hell out of you, licks the bleeding wounds and sends you off to be battered some more. DM's vocals are great mix of Anneke Van Giersbergen's smoothness, the coarse confidence of Courtney Love and oddly enough the delivery (and some pitch) of old Metal Church singer Mike Howe. When the lyrics or mood call for it and whether it be ease or
irritation, she sounds really pro.

"broken" starts the CD out and I'm quickly reminded of the progressive works of Tool with the prominent bass and rhythm section at the forefront. It pulls you in with tense thematics that put it a step above your average hook-leaden song. "scary kittie" is a cat-and-mouse game stalking across the fine line of S&M poetry and cheesiness. Feline sound effects would've been too much, but JJB's great guitar tone, reminiscent of Megadeth and the best thrash bands gives this one enough heft to counter the more Euro-industrial keyboards. The plundering guitars and DM's ethereal vocals in "belief" transport you into a giant's dream. Her voice carries you away on an exotic trip high above the carnage as the rest of the band menaces the land below. "in two" may be the best song representative of the band with every element present--abrasion, softness, anger and madness. It's the half-loving/half-unhinged mate from Hell that is sweet one minute and screaming at you the next. Everything sounds very consistent until the final track "scarecrow", which was originally done by Ministry. The guitars sound way more raw and dirty than the prior four numbers, but it's still a good song and a great trance-inducer.

the missing: is definitely a unique and talented band, and their CD bLEEd is both scathing and beautiful. With five great songs that are produced as well as an indy band can, I highly recommended it!

Also on this enhanced CD:
--An Adobe file with a couple dozen high-quality band photos the majority of which are expressive live shots of DM with her highly emotive, front cover eyes.
--Full length live videos of "Belief" and "Scary Kitty" recorded at CBGB, 2004.
--A couple short 8 minute videos of the band on stage and in the recording studio.

Score: 8 of 10

Link: www.themissing.com

--Nailer 04.08.05