HORSE the Band: A Natural Death

HORSE the Band: A Natural Death HORSE the Band fans refer to the bands style as "nintendocore". HORSE the Ban mixes metalcore with Korg synthesizers to achieve an 8-bit Nintendo sound. The sound is really a novelty that can only take one band so far. The band gained much noteriety after their debut full length, R. Borlax was released in 2003. The album contained the song "Bunnies" who's violence-against-bunnies condoning lyrics made it a bit of an internet sensation. It was even turned into an animated video on Albinoblacksheep.com. A Natural Death is HORSE's fourth album. It was released on Koch Records who are known for releasing albums by Slim Thug, Unk, DJ Khaled, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony more than nintendocore bands. It's not immediately apparent why a major label would pick up HORSE the Band. Their peak in popularity seemed to be their debut and their popularity has been waning since. A Natural Death is probably the most unbalanced album of the bands career. "Sex Raptor" sounds like a cut from the Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack with little to no "hardcore" elements. "Kangarooster Meadows" sounds like a song sung at summer camp. This is in addition to their songs that sound like extended outtakes from a Locust album. Overall, the novelty of HORSE the Band is lost on me. I appreciate their tongue-in-cheek lyrics and homage to 8-bit Nintendo, but there needs to be more of an emphasis on song writing for them. Rating: 4.6/10 MP3: HORSE the Band "Face of Bear"