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Xentrix > Dilute to Taste > Reviews
Xentrix - Dilute to Taste

Day of the double X (4/5): No sex, please - 75%

Felix 1666, August 3rd, 2017
Written based on this version: 1991, 12" vinyl, Roadracer Records

I always liked EPs that deliver new material, although their main functions follow commercial intentions. The aim is to shorten the waiting time and to whet the appetite for the next full package. Anyway, "Dilute to Taste" cannot challenge iconic EPs like "Sodomy and Lust" or "Flag of Hate", but its two exclusive tracks are definitely to good to be ignored. They would have enriched every full-length of the British warriors. Moreover, they were the last songs that followed the original approach of the band. Thrash with a crunchy texture, not overly brutal, but with a proper amount of melodies and the necessary drive. Worshippers of mid-harsh genre works such as "Master of Puppets" or "The New Order", it's your turn.

Here we have two more or less complex pieces that make the A side to something special. Okay, "Shadows of Doubt" begins slightly sluggish, but do not jump to conclusions. As it progresses, the song gets harsher and a long instrumental part intensifies its vibes. Not to mention that the dudes integrate once more a short Maiden reminiscence. The musicians seem to love the guitar lines of their famous compatriots and therefore they allow themselves a short affair with the style of Steve Harris. I am slightly confused in view of this romance. Hey guys, do not forget the old dogma: no sex please, I'm British.

The other star of the EP is called "Pure Thought". It houses all elements that make a Xentrix composition strong: a nice dose of catchiness, effective riffs, a coherent yet diversified approach and suitable vocals, not excellent, but powerful and weather-resistant. It is no exaggeration to say that these songs belong to the best of the whole band catalogue. Too bad that the studio section of the EP holds only these two tracks.

The live recordings... well, I am not a big friend of live albums and I always prefer new studio songs. Okay, that's probably my own problem so let's express it differently: the sound of the B side is more than acceptable, there is an interaction between band and fans and the reactions of the crowd seems to be authentic. "Ghost Busters" is live less gruesome than it has been before, but nevertheless, it constitutes the downer of an actually very recommendable EP. It does not contain essential stuff, but it fulfilled its purpose very well. It made curious for more... but only because nobody knew that "Kin" would become such a disappointment.

Dilution of content, with one nasty surprise - 57%

autothrall, December 11th, 2010

Xentrix were a band that constantly busied themselves in their off years by releasing singles and EPs like this one to keep their small but enthusiastic fanbase sated until they could whip up the next batch of central career motivators. Dilute to Taste is these days available on the CD re-release of For Whose Advantage?, and that is probably the preferred location to experience it if you've only lately gotten into their material, due to the sheer economic convenience. I personally grabbed this on cassette, and it's not much to look at, but the contents aren't so disappointing in the grand scheme of the band's history, looking back on the travesty that was Ghost Busters...

There are two new tracks present, that you won't find elsewhere, and both are flush with the stylistic direction of For Whose Advantage?, and the real reason to obtain this EP, even if they leave a little to be desired. "Pure Thought" is, as its name implies, a pretty pensive, mellowed thrasher, and if you've heard their later album Kin, a natural stepping stone in the transition to the band's melodic, 'thoughtful' thrash patterns that they would continue exploring. "Shadows of Doubt" starts with a nice, somber clean guitar segment before laying out the chords and a taut yet simplistic thrasher, once again making a great use of expansive space rather than truly busy thrashing riffs. There are muted fills here or there, but largely it just relies on bigger chords and Astley's inflections of emotional angst, which thankfully are not repulsive.

The remainder of the EP is filled out by a quartet of live cuts, including "Balance of Power" and "Crimes" from Shattered Existence, both of which sound decent, and "Kept in the Dark", which is not one of my favorites from For Whose Advantage?, but it's not bad. Sadly, the final track is their cover of "Ghostbusters", which I've already expressed my feelings about, and sounds no better in the live setting, even if some drunken jackasses are actually requesting it. How would they look at themselves in the morning? Even Astley shouts 'You don't really wanna hear Ghost Busters, do ya?' to pump up the crowd, who should have been leaving at even the suggestion. But nothing else here is offensive, so it's worth hearing if you enjoyed the band's sophomore, but not worth paying for independently if you can't get the version with it included.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com