Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Draksler, Tim
Label: Self-released
Release: 2012
Running time: 25:00
Rating: 3/5
Tim Draksler is no stranger to the Slovenian metal scene. You might remember him from his (admittedly short) run in Decilence, the band that rose from the ashes of Eliminator. After Decilence fell apart, Tim joined the legendary Interceptor, played a few gigs with them and recorded an album (which, by the way, we’re still waiting for!), but the only real way to fully let his artistic streak loose was a solo project. So in a relatively short time Tim recorded and released the debut EP Morbid Desire, where he steps out as a solo artist for the first time, with a little help from a few guests.
Genre-wise, the EP’s 25 minutes move mostly through thrash metal waters, but a seriously technical kind, packed with complex, unpredictable, almost progressive lines. Tim is the author of all the songs and the guitarist, and he also took care of the programmed drums and the production. The heart of the album is Tim’s guitar wizardry, mainly in the form of unhinged solos full of twisted, off-the-wall ideas in the vein of masters like Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) and Paul Masvidal (Cynic) – so there’s no shortage of freaky »spacey« solos that vaguely recall Cynic, nor of the insanely demanding sweeps and arpeggios that only Loomis can pull off. Draksler doesn’t hide his influences, but he’s distinctive and varied enough that you can’t really accuse him of overdoing the imitation. It’s great to hear that his songwriting style is experimental and psychotic enough to allow some bold atonal and dissonant »jazzy« tricks. For even more variety, a more dynamic »vibe« in the solos and an album that goes down easier, there are plenty of guests, led by Josh Christian (Toxic), who rips a wild solo into the opener Lucid Killer, totally in his own style. Grega Habič, Matej Sušnik and Dragan Bagarič do no worse, adding their own touch to the tracks while still staying true to Draksler’s vision. That vision is bold and daring, but I’d still love to see him bring more (self-)control to the songwriting next time, because the album feels a little too spontaneous and improvised at moments, and it wouldn’t hurt at all if Tim brought a pinch more order to the current chaos, which could put off listeners not used to such a schizophrenic sound. At times it seems like Tim simply tried to cram too much into his first solo release, as if he wanted to show right from the start everything he’s capable of, and that’s exactly why he slips a bit on slippery ground. But it has to be said that Tim definitely doesn’t run out of ideas: the solos and especially the riffs are varied enough not to repeat themselves, the song structures are dynamic and colorful, the morbid and psychotic lines that surface now and then fit nicely into the overall concept, and the whole picture of the album is enriched above all by an excellent, powerful vocal performance from Cesar Vigouroux (Rusted). Sadly, the record’s biggest flaw buries too many details under its own weight, and there are really a huge number of them. The production is amateurish, the sound is crammed and too full, and the colorful guitar lines get lost in a dirty, muddy sound and overly prominent programmed drums.
Morbid Desire is a solid first release that still suffers from some teething problems, and you can’t shake the feeling that in his eagerness to put out a solo record, Tim flew too high and singed his wings. The first step toward a smooth flight would definitely be handing the next release over to an experienced producer, because the takeoff is successful enough that, with a few adjustments, the flight shouldn’t end in a bad landing.
Lineup
Tim Draksler – guitar (1,2,3,4,5)
GUESTS:
Cesar Vigouroux – vocals (1,2,3,4)
Josh Christian – lead guitar (1)
Grega Habič – lead guitar (3,4)
Matej Sušnik – bass (4)
Dragan Bagarič – bass (1)
Blaž Varžič – bass (2,3)
Mike Basnec – bass (5)
Sergej Vučer – lyrics (1,2,3,4)
Production
Tim Draksler
Tracklist
1. Lucid Killer
2. Despair
3. Longing For Clarity
4. Beyond Sanity
5. The Endless Forms
