Maximum Metal Reviews

Maximum Metal Rating Legend

5	Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4	Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5	Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3	Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2	Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1	Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0	Terrible - Waste of your life and time.
Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun. Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc. The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.

Band

40 Below Summer

Title

Side Show Freaks

Type

LP/EP

Company

Driven Music

YOR

2008

Style

Nu/Rapcore

Popular Reviews

9/19/2008 - Review by: Sinnercorp

40 Below Summer
Side Show Freaks

Company: Driven Music Group
Release: 2008
Reviewer: Sinnercorp
Genre: Nu, rapcore

A decent, worthwhile footnote in the history of rap-metal

40 Below Summer emerged in 1998 from the local circuit of the New Jersey underground. They released an indie album entitled Sideshow Freaks which soon found its way to the hands of No Name Management, (Slipknot, Fear Factory). After showcases with the labels the band soon signed a deal with London/Sire Records.

If you had to categorize 40 Below Summer, you'd probably say they were Nu-metal. When 40 Below Summer self-released their debut album, Side Show Freaks, in 1999, rap-metal was huge and countless bands were jumping on the Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, (Hed) pe bandwagon. Some of them did it more skillfully than others; plenty of forgettable rap-metal/nu metal/rapcore bands emerged in the late '90s and early 2000s, while other hip-hop obsessed metalheads came out with albums that were derivative but good. Side Show Freaks, which the Phoenix, AZ based Driven Music Group reissued in 2008, definitely falls into the "derivative but good" category.

This 44-minute disc isn't groundbreaking by 1999 standards, let alone 2008 standards. Does this album bring something new to the table? Not even close. In 1999, this type of sound was everywhere. Side Show Freaks is a decent, worthwhile footnote in the history of rap-metal. It is what it is and nothing more than that. Although, 40 Below Summer are no longer a touring band do to other commitments, they do plan on releasing a few more records in the future.