Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Juggernott - Necessary Evil 2004 Self Financed reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Time Has Come 2. Quest For Comfort 3. Slipping Through The Cracks 4. Ordo Ab Chao 5. No Goodbyes 6. Devil's In The Details 7. Let Us Kill 8. Dance In The Fire 9. Pain 10. Wasting Away 11. Soul Master

Juggernott are a rather trendy metal act from Indiana. "Necessary Evil" marks the band's debut, and what a stinker it is.

I really hate bands that have no clue what the real deal is. The bands that just hear a song or two on the radio and decide that they want to try the same damn thing. Juggernott are one of those bands. It's a real shame to take what little bit of talent that is here and completely wash it away with a lackluster attempt to write radio friendly hits that will only see playing time in your local football team's pre-game warmup. Juggernott are just plain jock-strap metal, never really becoming unique are interesting through the eleven tracks on "Necessary Evil".

Every song here has one main focus, one bombastic groove hook that really never changes from track to track. It seems like the group concentrated on one big hook, and distorted it through eleven tracks, bending and shaping it for each cut. Its rather sludgy at times, with plenty of distorted and fuzzy guitar noise. This is just awful.

"Time Has Come" opens the album with a chunky, heavy sludge sound reminiscent of bands like Kindred Idol and Crowbar at times. Vocalist/drummer Steve Lawrence doesn't really sound like anyone, but he also never stops to sing one note on the whole record. "Quest For Comfort" follows the same formula, one big, generic riff throughout with vocalist/talker Lawrence just stumbling through. "Slipping Through The Cracks" tries a Van Halen/Pantera intro before dipping back under the covers. Highlight of the album, and the only GOOD song is the ballad, a nice atmospheric run with "No Goodbyes".

I am being perfectly honest when I say I have two-hundred bands just like this in my collection. They get no playing time in my rotation, and rightfully so. Good songwriting, skillfull musicianship, and a closely guarded original sound are the true ingredients needed to make a great album. Juggernott are sub-par and the end result is a below average effort with "Necessary Evil". Change your ways, or just stay home.

Anyone looking for this type of sound should listen to Conquest. www.conquestmetal.com.

Note-Juggernott, NOT to be confused with Juggernaut, the sensational NWOBHM band that released the classic gem, "Baptism Under Fire". Not even an original band name....jeez.


--EC 07.27.04