Face Down, Mindfield

Face Down, Mindfield - Back in 1993 bassist Joakim Hedestedt (Construcdead) and drummer Richard Bang put their heads together and created a Swedish Hardcore Metal under the name of 'Machine God' along with their guitarist Alex Linder. The band was soon joined by the aggressive vocalist Marco Aro (The Haunted, Construcdead). The following spring saw the band's first ever gig and the addition of guitarist Joacim Carlsson (Afflicted, General Surgery). At this point the band suddenly decided to change their name to the band we now know as 'Face Down'.

Later that year, their original guitarist Alex Linder was to be replaced by ex-Tiamat member Niklas Ekstrand. The band now went on to record and release their 800-copy debut demo. Later on, in 1995, the band went on to sign a deal with Roadrunner Records and recorded their debut album 'Mindfield' that summer. The album saw a January 1996 release date following Richard Bang's decision to leave the group. On the strength of the album the band went on to tour with Napalm Death, Crowbar, At The Gates, Above All and Cathedral.

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Weak

2. Kill the Pain

3. Human

4. Holy Rage

5. Demon Seed

6. Save Me, Kill Me

7. Colors

8. Twelve Rounds

9. Hatred

10. One Eyed Man

From the start of the album, the band deliver an intense, hardcore metal-fest with thick and chunky guitars forming super-powerful riffs. Vocalist Marco Aro delivers a barrage of aggressive-yet-controlled vocals that fit the musical style of the band perfectly. The band have put together a collection of proficient and tight metal tracks that show their creative ability in brutal songwriting along with their individual musical talent. 'Mindfield' is a non-stop roller-coaster of a ride through ten powerful and intense 'in-your-face' tracks of hardcore genius interspersed with quieter moments that show the band's creative style of taking the music from one degree of music to another.

Since, the band have gone on to release their 1997 follow-up album 'The Twisted Rule The Wicked" through Nuclear Blast Records.