After proving themselves on The Power of Inner Strength, Grip Inc decide to flesh out their aggressive sound into something more of their own. Opening track Pathetic Liar just rips into a groove and the album just steams along for 5 tracks. With most songs around the 3 minute mark, these are almost metalli-pop sensations, hooking you in and letting you go before monotony has a chance to set in. Portrait of Henry being a perfect example, where just as you begin to realize that this quick little ditty only has two parts, wham, it's over. What really propels this forward (besides the just beautiful production, listen with headphones!) is the flow of the album, with only one track getting in the way. Actually, Scream at the Sky is the only noticable flaw in the album (for me...), it just doesn't seem to fit with the album as a whole. Bonus points for effort given in expanding the bands sound, even if I don't dig the final result there. Other than that, man, this just smokes. Sticking at mostly the mid of tempos, Nemesis is a nice example of a well produced 90s power metal album. Good, thick guitar, gruff sung-spoken vocals, and Lomabardo's signature brand of percussion. And speaking of the guy, I don't care what the rumors are, I've seen him live, and the guy can PLAY! He also has own style, unimitable I believe, and perfect for the band's overall sound. Waldemar (Woodhouse Studios, ex-Despair) Sorychta is the true unsung hero here though, creating just layer after layer of beautiful sounds for us to enjoy. Overall, a couple of slower ones, a couple of fast ones, but just a really good album overall. Feel safe in dropping a couple bucks on this one.
8 out of 10

Continuing the growth exhibited on Nemesis, Grip Inc produce another excellent album, this time demanding that they be seen as their own band. I'll agree here, as I'd almost say that Slayer sounds more like Grip Inc now than G.I. ever sounded like Slayer. Now before I get shot for dissin' the mighty Slayer, just relax, Reign in Blood changed my life at 16 when it came out, just like evvveryone else, it's just time to let Lombardo lose the chains of that era, and for us to view Grip Inc as a separate entity, which in fact it always was. The layout of the album in terms of track to track dynamics is pretty similar to the previous album, mixing up tempos and varying the mood enough to keep attention past spin two. Again, it's the production that makes this album just so dang heavy, one of the thickest guitar sounds since the famed "Sunlight" days of yore. New bass addition Stuart Carruthers really fills out the sound, and according to the band, really allowed the music to grow. Sorychta is a guitar god, best witnessed on his just hallowing riffage during the mid-section of Lockdown, a prime example of beauty though darkness. The expanse of tonality and rhythm also allows Lombardo greater freedom for experimentation, which gives rise to some really freaky, yet powerful drumming. As I stated before, he definitely has his own style, whether it be the way he approaches his beats, or the timing of his fills, it's always Lombardoized. Another improvement is in the vocal department. On this release, Chambers (who was schooled more in the punk realm) using a more varied approach to his vocal patterns, performing good clean vocals on more than one occasion (Human comes to mind...). Yet again, Grip Inc prove their worth as a quality metal hybrid, fusing power and precision with dynamic and melody. One of the first quality records to emerge in 1999. In case you were curious, the title refers to the band combining their environmental and musical backgrounds to "Solidify" the G.Inc sound.
8 out of 10