KEY POINTS:
Rating: * * * *
Sit back and let the brutality pulse through your veins once again. Auckland's Subtract have been stalwarts on the local heavy music scene since releasing their debut EP Quench in 1998, which, remarkably, sat loud and proud in the singles charts for a stint.
It had a raw power and mechanical mongrel not heard often on the local scene. Since then the band's output hasn't been prolific with debut album Formula One not appearing until 2004 and while it was a fierce beast, it also had sluggish and laboured moments.
On Winning Hearts And Minds they come up with something vital and formidable, book-ended by bludgeoning opener Dirty Paradise and the final stampede of Cashing In.
There's a more flamboyant approach, which never goes amiss in metal, and more focus on the epic rather than simply brutalising and demolishing all who dare to step in their way.
This is possibly to do with the addition of guitarist Evan Short (of Concord Dawn fame and a number of other bands) who adds a bit of loutish flare to songs like Fearless Leader.
And Committed is for all those of you who yearn for the deep guttural chug that Subtract have made their name on.
It's only six tracks long, but sometimes that's all you need and all you can handle.
Scott Kara
