Dark Days

Coal Chamber's third outing since 1997 finds the Los Angeles-based quartet taking its dark, intelligent nu-metallic approach farther. More ominous, aggressive, and postindustrial than true metal, the band's portentous, aggro style is also at times sensual, as vocalist Dez Fafara delivers provocative, pointed lyrics in a passionate, wide-ranging sing-to-a-growl voice. From "Friend?" to "Drove," with its spooky soundtrack-like vocals and simple, haunting, edgy music, Coal Chamber pulls no punches. As Farfara taunts in "Drove," "Yes, I despise you mostly / you're small you see, a wannabe." From the barely controlled chaos of "Something Told Me" and the dynamic title track to the insinuating, irresistible chorus of "One Step" and "Rowboat," a song originally done by the band Flood, the disc is generally strong. Ultimately, however, this album's 41 minutes of murky musings is not revolutionary enough to earn major merit. --Katherine Turman