Powerflo — the love child of Billy Grazidei (Biohazard), Christian Wolbers (ex-Fear Factory), Regelio Lozano (Downset) and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill) — aims to blend rap, hardcore, metal and punk on their debut self-titled effort. The project reads like quite the supergroup; unfortunately, the results aren't always so super.
At its best, Powerflo reflects the band's individual members' previous work. The riffs are hard, the rhythms are bouncy and the rapping (although sometimes cheesy) generally flows well. "Victim of Circumstance" and "Finish the Game" are the pinnacle of the Powerflo's vision, showcasing menacing rhymes and guitar work that recalls the urban elements in New York hardcore that Biohazard pioneered.
However, there are too many off-putting moments on Powerflo. Clean choruses come out of left field on "Where I Stay" and "Crushing That," but what plagues this release moreso is a lack of effort in the songwriting. Most of these tracks lack the dynamism that makes heavy music so exciting. Perhaps on their next release, the band will live up to their namesake with some more power in their delivery.
(New Damage)At its best, Powerflo reflects the band's individual members' previous work. The riffs are hard, the rhythms are bouncy and the rapping (although sometimes cheesy) generally flows well. "Victim of Circumstance" and "Finish the Game" are the pinnacle of the Powerflo's vision, showcasing menacing rhymes and guitar work that recalls the urban elements in New York hardcore that Biohazard pioneered.
However, there are too many off-putting moments on Powerflo. Clean choruses come out of left field on "Where I Stay" and "Crushing That," but what plagues this release moreso is a lack of effort in the songwriting. Most of these tracks lack the dynamism that makes heavy music so exciting. Perhaps on their next release, the band will live up to their namesake with some more power in their delivery.