More than 22 years ago this religious band started playing Iron Maiden influenced metal. Nowadays they play a more thrashy kind of style. 'River Disturbance' however was the most dark and progressive sounding album of the band. Originally it was released back in 1994 and the re-mastered re-release contains 3 bonus tracks. The album went out of print many years ago, so fans that still don't have it can complete their collection now. Back in 1994 a lot of fans were disappointed with this album because it was less thrashy, and completely different from the earlier ones.
Back then, the trio Brown, Morales and Winslow hired Jon Know (White Heart) to complete the line-up for the recording. The songs are experimental, progressive, sometimes bombastic and tragic. Jimmy P. Brown II has a clear voice and sings with a lot of variety. Listen to "Now and Then" and you hear how he accelerates in a song with charming choirs and acoustic guitars. Strangest and most experimental song is a kind of rap song called "A little Sleep". Personally I don't understand why a metal band does that kind of thing, but maybe I'm too narrow-minded.
To listen to the whole album at once is not very easy for me; I miss some faster parts and there is so much variety in the songs that I loose grip. Is the album still relevant today? I leave that up to you. There are some good songs that make an impression, but also some weaker ones. Especially the bonus tracks make me doubtful. The cover song "On the Fritz" doesn't make me happy for example.
Fans that still haven't this album and fans of Saviour Machine should check this one out.
