Review: Trouble - Simple Mind Condition

It's been a while since Chicago Doom-metallers Trouble have released an album. In fact, Trouble's last album, Plastic Green Head, was released in 1995 by Century Media, making it an excruciating 12 years in the waiting.

Anyone familiar with Trouble's previous releases know that their brand of traditional doom metal never fails to deliver and there's not many negative things one can say about the band. They haven't released a bad album in 23 years, since their creation in '84.

Simple Mind Condition wastes no time announcing Trouble's triumphant return. The opening track, "Seven," jumps right into classic Trouble heavy riffing. Eric Wagner's unmistakable vocals, some of the best in the doom world, as far as I'm concerned, and only surpassed by the likes of Solitude Aeturnus/Candlemass vocalist, Robert Lowe, blast strong as ever above the heavy-handed picking and sticking of the doom soundtrack.

The album continues, in classic Trouble fashion, with the next three tracks, "Mind Bender," "Goin' Home" and "Pictures," by delivering riff after crushing riff of what Trouble does best.

As far as style goes, Trouble hasn't changed much from their last album. In fact, Trouble has stuck to the formula which has worked for them for over two decades with only slight experimentation here and there. Why? Because it works. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"After the Rain" brings it down, for the first part of the song anyway. Wagner gives a nod to the "Misery Shows (Act II)" with the line, "I'm still here, wonderin' 'bout things/Who's to know what my life 'll bring." Noting the nod to past tunes, you can compare this track with "Misery Shows (Act II)" in its progression: starting out slow and a bit light (in Trouble terms) and ending with a slightly heavier finale and solo. After this, your rest is over.

Then comes something a bit new. "Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar" is a great tune with a more conversational vocal style by Wagner between the choruses.

Trouble brings it right back to the heavy riffing with "Trouble Maker." Again, classic Trouble.

"Bad Situation" is a fast paced (remember we're talking traditional doom, so fast paced doesn't mean Thrash or Speed here) heavy-hitter. As far as my opinion goes, it's one of the best tracks on the album, although all of them are fantastic so it's hard to rank them.

The last two tracks are probably my favorite and most listened to on the album.

"Beginning of Sorrows," is where my only complaint on the album lies, although it is one of the greatest songs on the album. My only gripe is that I wish it were longer. The song is so epic and amazing, I just wish it was over 4:18 long. It opens with a piano intro and Wagner's voice. Add in the bass and drums to start carrying along the tune. The last ingredient, palm-muted lead bricks of sound, comes in at about two minutes, completing a build up that leads into the end of the album.

"Reasons" is simply classic, skull-crushing Trouble. That's all I can really say about it. Downtrodden, heavy as a ton of lead, Doom that I enjoy every time I listen to it.

I think the European bonus track, "Ride in the Sky," would fit better somewhere else on the album, but it's a fantastic track. I enjoy the fun nod to Led Zepplin's "Immigrant Song" in the opening riff that Trouble uses throughout. Yeah, it's a blatant ripoff but it works so well.

While Trouble is in my top five favorite bands of all time, don't think that this review is skewed. Fans of traditional doom (Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath, ect.) and current fans of Trouble will love this release. If you like heavy, traditional doom with some spectacular vocals, check this album out. Check any of Trouble's albums out.

RATING: 9/10

Trouble - Simple Mind Condition

Tracklisting:
01. Seven
02. Mind Bender
03. Goin' Home
04. Pictures
05. After The Rain
06. Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar
07. Trouble Maker
08. Bad Situation
09. Beginning Of Sorrows
10. Reasons
11. Ride The Sky [European bonus]

Simple Mind Condition was released on April 2, 2007 by Century Media(US). (Was released by Escapi Music in Europe)