Search - Souls at Zero :: Souls at Zero

Kenneth W. (Eyesore) from TAUNTON, MA
Reviewed on 12/4/2007...

A little known and very underrated band from the early Nineties. In the late Eighties they were known as Wrathchild America, but were originally known as Wrathchild until the record company added "America" to their debut without consulting the band (there was a UK band with the Wrathchild name, which prompted the label to make the change). Back then they played more of a traditional thrash style, though not exclusively. They released two albums, switched labels and changed their name to Souls At Zero. This era of the band was a slower, groovier version of their former self, and though the band was signed to two major labels they still never got the recognition they deserved. They got the fart in a tornado treatment.

Souls At Zero seems to be an angrier album than previous releases. The lyrics portrayed this and the music reflected it. Again, this isn't a fast, aggressive album, but the vibe is enough to make it seem so. The dual guitar assault (riffs and solos), the raw, vitriolic vocals, and the overall "dark" nature of it all is a little different than that of the previous incarnation of the band. Standouts include "Never", "Frustration", "Lost", "Grey World" and "Welcome To The 90's."

This album is no longer in print, so check your local used bins or jump on the eBay train and look for it. They released two albums, the Six-T-Six EP and A Taste For The Perverse, before calling it a day in the mid-Nineties. Both Souls At Zero and Wrathchild America are worth checking out. Shannon Larkin (once in Ugly Kid Joe, sadly now in Godsmack) was in this band.

Website: http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=59476

Souls At Zero (Energy Records).....Awesome Album....

01/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Souls At Zero were formally Wrathchild America. They changed their name ,got a new sound,and got on a new label. This is an awesome album from 1993. Every song on this album rocks. My favorites are Frustration and Grey World. They were dropped from their record label Atlantic Records in 1993 and got a new label with Energy Records. The name Soul At Zero (awesome name) came from a chapter in a book called The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker. Wrathchild America is too an awesome name.They disbaned in the mid 90's around 1996. Shannon Larkin when on to drum for Ugly Kid Joe on the album Motel California (Castle)(awesome album too). Its a shame that they are not around anymore,because this band whether they are called Wrathchild America or Souls At Zero barely got notice. I personally think it was the timing (though it was an awesome time,but music was changing as the 90's grew near. Wrathchild America released Climbin' the Walls in 1989...almost the tailend of the metal reign and then came the other release from Wrathchild America in 1991 the album 3-D (both aewsome albums/check em' out). A year when Alternative Rock....aka Grunge came screaming in with a late 60's-70's style rock and Nirvana,Pearl Jam, and a horde of other fine bands too claimed their giant stake in the ground. By 1993 Wrathchild America were dropped (Atlantic..1993) like stated earlier and changed labels,style with less solos and more groove oriented,and of course the name as well(Souls At Zero).By 1993 Souls At Zero on a small and awesome record label Energy Records were barely on the sonar screen sad to state. They released their final album on Energy Records A Taste for the Preverse in 1995 and this is an incredible album too. They disbanded around 1996.Pick this up it is well worth it. I don't know who runs these record labels and I have respect for them,but not to hear awesome talent like these guys...whomever should have left the music business arena. These guys can play anything you especially hear the talent ring out on Wrathchild America's 3-D album. Anyhow get all these albums and give it a chance. This music is like todays and it fit easily into this current music scene. A++++"

TOTALLY HEAVY

shane | philly | 02/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"souls at zero used to be wrathchild america a great band but with the changing times and music scean they change musically and their name.they made a good namw for themself while touring with may bigger band like testament but this time they got more great oppertunities with sacred reich , flotsam & jetsam,crowbar,life of agoney and many others when the corporate music when down hill but they still they showed a more aggressive side.

as souls at zero they were still hard to catagorize with other bands but so original and brutal they made up their lost noterity as whrath chid america). their anger has showed threw the ex thrash like styles of the past.the stripped down to the bare minium no standard song verse,bridge , chorus they totally let go of the structure and left the groove and agreession form the music( a ballsy move) they had years of struggleing in the music sceane in the east coast and many trials by fire but this was rebirth buy the fire of hell.go for broke no glove and pulling not one punch and non stop touring.



bottom line aggressive , brutally heavy, pissed off and in your face metal a classic must have"