Take "Breathe Out" for example (my favorite song on the CD.) This song is more skillfully written and executed than anything you'll hear on the radio now - Korn and Limp Bizkit couldn't TOUCH Nothingface in that department. The searing riffs, climatic intro and killer vocal styles of the singer (and I say "singer" and really mean it here) definitely add up to make a classic metal anthem. Too bad 90% of the countless MTV-ites don't know who the hell these guys are, because missing out on songs like "Breathe Out" and "Villains" is a real downer - but oh well, the ones who really count in terms of their fanbase know who they are and love them for what they do, and the respect is definitely well-earned after listening to such awesome albums like "An Audio Guide..." Every single member stands out in some way on their own particular instrument; the most prominent here being the singer, as I said before. His Chino Moreno-esque melodic/harsh transitions (but not as high-pitched) really give the music a great atmosphere. Though countless other bands do this by now - Ultraspank and Kilgore come to mind first - Nothingface have a rare way of grabbing you by doing so. At first listen, I liked it better than "Adrenaline" by Deftones, and that says quite a lot.

Overall, if you're into Primer 55, Staind, Sevendust, or even Sepultura, you'll want to pick this up. It's worth 10 stars and I'd give it that rating if I could, and you probably will too. Trust me.

so few like them in the way
This record is one that you should own if you like heavy music. I view this record as a blueprint for alot of the bands that are big in the hardcore scene right now. Back in '98 not that many bands where screaming AND singing on the same song. And what the hell happened to them anyway. This is way better than Pacifier. I saw these guys live down in Misissippi once. They were really good, just ripped everyone all to hell. Anyway, listen to "Villains", "The Sick" and "Goldtooth". And then go punch someone in the face.

An Audio Guide for me
definately. these guys haven't been around the longest, but their music is unbeleivable. from start to finish, the drumming, the bass, the guitar riffs, all unbeleivable. not to mention the vocals, which are in my opinion the best metal vocals worthy of the level of Dez Fafara of Devildriver, Bjorn of Soilwork, or Randy of Shadow Falls. Personally, i find the best track to be the last, Sick, with its unique quiet beginning, its catchy yet powerful chorus, and its also unique ending as it winds down this masterpeice.
definately a must have for any metalhead!

The Sick knows no pain...
This is the best hardcore metal album ever, period. Nothingface is one of those bands that's never written a bad song. This album carries a mysterious atmosphere all the way through, which makes sense considering many of the songs are from the perspectives of criminals. All of the lyrics deal with some kind of crime or 'everyday atrocity'. There are 9 tracks, and at least 7 of them are instant classics. This album also has an epic feel, as in it seems like what you're hearing made history (and it should've, even if it was really too underground to get much attention). Words cannot describe how awesome this album is... Here's what I think of each of the tracks.

1) Goldtooth (10/10) A super-heavy beginning to a brutal disk, written from the eyes of a rapist. No singing here, which makes a nice contrast when "Grinning" comes on.

2) Grinning (10/10) A downright creepy song, with lyrics like "You know you're s*** so hit him in the face, in the face, come on do it again". The highlight of the song comes in the form of "Stop grinning! STOP LAUGHING!!" near the end of the track.

3) So Few (10/10) Kinda like later Nothingface, and less anger based than the previous 2. I love the "Oh, you're a monster!" sample. The guitar solo is awesome (yes, there ARE solos).

4) Villains (11/10) REALLY PISSED OFF. Another creepy track. The best section is where he screams to the rhythm of the guitar.

5) Sleeper (11/10) The saddest, most dreary song ever made, suddenly bursting into heavyness again at the end. Positively a masterpiece.

6) Breathe Out (12/10) Nothingface's best track to date. Awesome heavy rappish verses followed by a melodic section that still sends chills down my spine on the 50th listen.

7) Error in Excellence (9/10) Decent headbanger track, but lacks the creepness and impossible-to-describe atmosphere of the other tracks. The "Clear kills, so you think you know some s***" part kicks ass though.

8) I, Diablo (11/10) Amazingly awesome. Very creepy again, and regains the atmosphere of the first 6 tracks. Opens with a sample that sounds like "Rape the world bare, prepare for the release of a horrible demon unto the world". Heavy stuff.

9) The Sick (9.5/10) More traditional metal song. Great solo. The end is the only part that's standout to me (The start of new days, has nothing changed, the sick knows no pain...). Strange but weirdly fitting end for the CD.