Incarnate

are the most unfortunately unappreciated band in hard rock history. , a collection of various sessions spanning years and lineups, serves as testament to the band's great essential constants. The trademarks in question are tough but easy-going stoner grooves, 's detuned death machine of a guitar, and an absolute heaviness that permeates their work like a weird mixture of sweat and incense. The band, in whatever embodiment, create this heaviness by always working as a unit. Hard rock excesses are avoided; every drum fill and every note of every solo works toward the song rather than individual glory. Make no mistake though, 's solos, while tactful, are still heroic -- he offers unique schizo-bluesy runs throughout , of particular depth and feeling on the "Streetside/Mourning" sessions from spring '93. Any lyrics that come through the mix hold interest as well, an intelligent individualist stance firmly taken. A very telling moment occurs when howls "It makes my blood run cold to be bought and sold" on over a re-working of the riff from and covers are thrown in for good measure, with drummer beating skins on the latter. , who went on to join , plays bass on a session as well. have never received the recognition accorded those two groups but any fans of or are advised to pick up as a further lesson in drop 'D.' ~ Matthew Isaac Kantor