Heavy Metal Magazine
Gus Horowitz

10 October 1996

My mother always told me that if someone looks untrustworthy, then they usually are. You need only glance at the cover of this album to realize that the content and artist are not to be trusted on any count. This album is garbage and I knew that before I ever listened to a single chord. You want details? I can give you details.

The album is repetitive beyond belief. I felt nauseous just getting through all of these boring variations on the same theme. For the most part, most of the tracks are lame rip-offs of bands who have already done it much better. She Bleeds is Marilyn Manson's Beautiful People slowed down, Ziggorath is Enter Sandman without the heavy bass line, and the embarrassing The Magic Door is almost a parody of any metal song longer than five minutes.

Basically it seems that the band decided that the best way to write a metal track was to play recognisable power chord progressions and grab an obvious set of lyrics to plaster them with. That might work if you are playing in a garage or at a school prom, but Ryan and his band have grossly underestimated their audience here. Metal, just like any other form of music has its little tricks, but what separates the mediocre bands from the great ones is smart songwriting and real musical ability. This band is capable of neither. In addition, you have to know your instruments and know them well. This band does not and for that reason this record is one huge arrogant spit in the face of a true fan's face.

This album made me so damn angry that I will say right now, even at this early stage of the year, that this is guaranteed to be number one on my annual "Shit List." Nothing can or will come close. In fact, the last time I was this angry was when I went to see Waterworld and hated it, even after my mother had told me Kevin Costner was not to be trusted. I guess things have come full circle.

You might not know what I look like, but trust me when I say-- Stay away from Midnight at Donington. (1 fist)