ULTIMATUM - MECHANICS OF PERILOUS TIMES (CD, 2007, Retroactive) bonus tracks

2013 CUSTOMER REVIEW Initially released in 2001 and re-released in 2007 with bonus tracks (the version I have), Ultimatum's THE MECHANICS OF PERILOUS TIMES is their heaviest album. When I first got it I was a little disappointed because it lacks the catchy songs of their previous CD, 1998's PUPPET OF DESTRUCTION, their all-time best. Yet it sort of makes up for it in heaviness and a great primal drum sound (some whiners complain about the snare, but I love it; it sounds raw and primal). I'm not sure what makes the songs on this one less catchy but it might be attributed to Scott Water's more aggressive vocal delivery, which comes off kind of one-dimensional over the course of the album. For instance, he'll sometimes sing the stanzas exactly the same as the choruses, which prevents either from standing out. Another problem is that the vocals are too low in the mix. Still, the whole CD is solid thrash with a handful of highlights. The best of which is "Greed Regime," although it's unnece