World Coming Down

World Coming Down

Type O Negative

Roadrunner Records, 1999

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/29/1999

It takes guts to stick your neck out and do something in adifferent manner than other people do the same thing. But I'venoticed that people who do this are usually the happiest. When Iworked at a suburban Chicago high school years ago, I knew one kidwho dressed like he rummaged through Salvation Army bins after thecircus had left town - but he was one of the most charming people Iever knew in my short time working there.

In that case, Peter Steele and Type O Negative should beincredibly happy. In an era of heavy metal where the key seems tobe speed and screaming, Type O Negative take the "Chili'shamburger" approach to their songs: they take their time and puttheir all into the one song they're working on at the time.

The latest result, World Coming Down, occasionally hangs, but for the most partsuggests that this band is doing things right, as it's a greatlisten - and one that might not even freak out your parents if youwalk in with this album.

There are a few snippets on this disc that you should be awareof. The opening one, "Skip It," might have you thinking that thedisc is damaged and skipping like a schoolgirl on a caffienebender. Relax; nothing's wrong with the disc, as you'll see in amatter of seconds. One other snippet, "Sinus," might send somechills down your spine if you can't stand the sound of peoplefighting colds. Being a bronchial asthmatic who has problems withmy sinuses (especially during allergy season and in wet weather), Inever realized how god-damn annoying I sounded hacking andsniffling and clearing my throat... not that I've been able tostop, of course.