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Interviews:
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Interview with Cale for Born To Die (February 2005)
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Positive Reviews:
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Process is an unorthodox mixture of punk and metal with some hints of thrash and guitar heavy industrial. It satisfies the need for both energetic and relaxing tones. It has a sense of humor, but it's also sophisticated in sound and in lyrical content. It's almost like a fushion of One Bad Pig, Tom Angelripper and Tourniquet. If you're thinking of another campy stereo-type Christian band with little or no creativity, think again! Cerebral Noize is unique, in both Christian and secular music.
– Andy Monje, Andy's Dungeon of Extreme Christian Metal (November 2005)
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Process is a fitting name for the debut CD by one-man band CEREBRAL NOIZE. Cale Burr slogged away on the creation [recording] of this CD over a five year period between 1997 and 2002. The CD is the culmination of a holistic approach to creating music and successfully delivers Burr's unifying vision of extreme metal.
Burr literally had a hand in every aspect of the CD from writing the songs, to playing almost every instrument, to vocals, to the stellar album art and design.
For a DIY package it is pretty slick; but all the work would be for not if the music couldn't stand on its own. Fortunately, it can. CEREBRAL NOIZE is a quirky mixture of razor-sharp thrash metal, industrial experimentation, and soul scorching death metal.
A keen sense of melody underlies the entire work and helps to not only expand its accessibility but serve as a coalescing force that ties each song together.
Let's hope that with this debut Burr has gotten enough momentum rolling that it won't take another five years to see a follow up.
– Jeb Branin, In Music We Trust (February/March/April 2005)
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I am not the best person to be reviewing this, as I am not very open minded and as I usually don’t like solo projects but on the other side, it gives me a different perspective. Cerebral Noize is thus a one-man project but eventually (and fortunately) this isn’t something too obvious at the listen of the thirteen tracks of this album. Even if I absolutely don’t like too much this kind of hybrid between death metal, punk, gothic and thrash music, «Process» is pretty decent (and sometimes good) stuff I reckon…some sort of gothic sounding death metal, with some kind of different shouting vocals (connected with the punk / thrashcore scene) and a catchy side to the music. Not always easy to get into as usual with this kind of musical cross but there are some nice ideas and the whole product don’t lack of the needed energy. Quality music created by a talented musician / songwriter for sure but not for all tastes.
– Georges, Pull The Chain (June 2005)
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Cerebral Noize is the baby of talented composer Cale Burr. The music is pure metal with influences of the most extreme side of the emtal genre. Heavy guitars are the main thing here delivering aggressive riffs all over this powerful album, but here we have also plenty of keyboards adding a more atmospheric feeling to the music. The combiantion of extreme vocals most of them of the screaming type with more melodic ones is another trademark of Cerebral noize´s music. The programmed drums also add a machine like feeling that fits really well the music and gives sort of a futuristic feeling to it. There is sort of a thrash influences in many parts which I liked a lot because it seems that Cale is taking the alste two decades of metal music and putting them together along his music. There are plenty of guests here adding their talents to Cerebral Noize´s music. A powerful release full of aggression and originality.
– Federico Marongiu, Music Extreme (February 2005)
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CEREBRAL NOIZE is considerable dose of madness. These 13 tracks was created by guys from the USA. The most generally saying this is union of aggression and heaviness of metal with madness and simplicity of punk rock. In total comes into being enough atypical hard core. Atypical, because beside very quick the riffs and threshing drums with aggressively the shouting vocalist there we will find huge quantity of gentle keys in background, the calm feminine and the gentlemen's singings, backing singers, chordal interludes bringing in the bit of quiet and nostalgia and different sophisticating. CEREBRAL NOIZE is the most intelligent old school hard core what I heard. The arrangements include many musical motive and solutions. Every tune carries with themselves the huge dose of madness or sometimes even opposite emotions of melancholy. Some pieces also are funny (it's reminds me LAWNMOWER DETH), because the tracks are arranged with dose of humor. The multitude of used musical ideas (often outright surprising, which ones sometimes reach the listener after next listening) they inflict the huge impression. Even in one of track we can find often alternating moods, from heavy or speed metal through punk rock's rhythms till nostalgic balladic climates. Really it is not possibility to describe of quantities musical collages what CEREBRAL NOIZE proposes us. And initially it seemed to me that the music includes only large dose of metal-punk noise, but if more times I listen the disc then more and more I uncover in this music of varied often opposed inspirations. Who loved once old hard core in style of LAWNMOWER DETH or M. O. D. should reaching to CEREBRAL NOIZE which is the huge step in evolution of this species of music.
– Pawel Grabowski, Born To Die (January 2005)
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English Translation Of Polish Review:
It's hard to clasify Cerebral Noize's music. There are surely many connections with the infancy years of thrash metal. In one word — total punk. Sometimes I feel like listening to Motorhead mixed with early Slayer and Sex Pistols. You'll say that's not attractive. But, I don't care. 'Process' is a damn attractive CD, full of energy, spontanious and mentioned hedonistic joy of playing. To avoid boring the listener, Cale pours the whole with a little bit of electronics, or even progression and (japanese?) choirs (ex. 'Non Contradiction'). There are some more 'symphonious' moments in style of 'About Love', which elementary connects with Celtic Frost, but naming it as an inspiration would be a huge mistake. There's just something special in the climate of 'Process', that forces you to pay attention.
– Dooban, Multum In Parvo (October 2004)
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Process is a fitting name for the debut CD by one-man band CEREBRAL NOIZE. Cale Burr slogged away on the creation of this CD over a five year period between 1997 and 2002. The CD is the culmination of a holistic approach to creating music and successfully delivers Burr's unifying vision of extreme metal. Burr literally had a hand in every aspect of the CD from writing the songs, to playing almost every instrument, to vocals, to the stellar album art and design. For a DIY package it is pretty slick; but all the work would be for not if the music couldn't stand on its own. Fortunately, it can. CEREBRAL NOIZE is a quirky mixture of razor-sharp thrash metal, industrial experimentation, and soul scorching death metal. A keen sense of melody underlies the entire work and helps to not only expand its accessibility but serve as a coalescing force that ties each song together. Let's hope that with this debut Burr has gotten enough momentum rolling that it won?t take another five years to see a follow up.
– Jeb Toocrass, In Music We Trust (October 2004)
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What a strange, distinct and unique amalgam of styles this is: Thrash, punk, industrial, goth rock, even moments when it sounds like you've lapsed into fruity mellow 60s rock (but in a good way). You may not think (except for the 60s rock thing) that combo sounds that odd but when you hear just how the styles relate to each other you'll see what I mean. You'll be listening and you'll be like, "Hey, this is punk ... no, wait, this is thrash ... no, wait ... doh!" Then you hear these ethereal melodies floating in down there in the mix around the heavy bass line (only complaint, crisper production please) and that adds a whole new dimension. Then, there's these really melodic soft male vocals oozing in between the heavy, throaty male vocals. THEN there's some pretty chick vocals. It goes on. Cerebral Noize has got to be one of the more interesting and original metal, er punk, er industrial, er ... bands I've come across in a while. If you like original metal, you must check this out.
– Upchuck Undergrind, fishcomcollective.net (2004)
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"Wow!! You make Metallica sound like a lounge band!!"
– Mark Welling, Former Drummer of Bloodgood
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Rough English Translation Of French Review:
"It will take several listens for you to sometimes understand the complex world of Cerebral Noize, which evolves sometimes to a powerful and devastating metal, sometimes towards the basic side of punk or hardcore, with certain titles like "Stake Through The Head" on the verge of the being symphonic. And that, without never falling into the higher bid and the parodic one. It is sure that no matter who will not be able to appreciate with his right value "Process" so much the 13 titles are complex and technically irreproachable... If you chrechez groups able to mix several styles of musics without falling into the pitoresque one, ruez on Cerebral Noize... "
Original French Review:
"Il fuadra plusieurs écoute pour ariver à comprendre le monde complexe de Cerebral Noize, qui évolue tantôt vers un métal puissant et ravageur, tantôt vers le côté basique du punk ou du hardocre, avec sur certains titres comme "Stake Through The Head" des refrains à la limite du symphonique. Et cela, sans jamais tomber dans la surenchère et le parodique. Il est sûr que n'importe qui ne pourra pas apprécier à sa juste valeur "Process" tellement les 13 titres sont complexes et techniquement irréprochable... Si vous chrechez des groupes capables de mélanger plusieurs styles de musiques sans tomber dans le pitoresque, ruez vous sur Cerebral Noize... "
– Underground Society Music Magazine (June 2003)
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"From the band name and looks of this CD, I was expecting some kind of funk-metal band. But this is equally enjoyable. (That's a good thing.) These guys have the nerdy, goth-punk/metal market cornered. Actually, I think it's just one person's project with various contributors. The musicianship is excellent, almost too much so for punk, but I guess that's when it crosses over into the more metal territory. Predominantly male vocals, but there are some gothic female backing vocals at times. The lyrics deal with computers, the fall of real metal, philosophy and sci-fi books or something. I'm not sure what to say about this CD other than it's really weird and talented metal. I would have guessed this is from somewhere in Europe instead of Washington. If you like goofy metal, check this out."
– Neal Shah, Punk Planet, Issue 55, May & June 2003, Page 151
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"In most songs I find cool arrangment, ideas and a very own style..."
– Marcel, Insanity Records (January 2003)
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"If you're looking for some good head banging, neck snapping, reverberations, then you have arrived at the right place when you surf to Cerebral Noize's website. It is a well organized site and all of the songs from their Cd, "Process" are laid out nicely for you to enjoy. 'Stake Through The Head' tops the list and is the subject of this review.
Cerebral Noize describes their sound as one of a fusion of Heavy Metal and Punk Rock, and I think they are right on target with the analogy. 'Stake Through The Head' is no exception; it has a commanding, hard driving, almost overpowering aura about it. The guitar work is supreme in my opinion and the drum and bass work go a long way in backing it up. Vocals are extreme and are of the "in-your-face" variety; they could knock you out of your seat if you crank the speakers just right. And I really like the ending to the song; excellent work of speaker manipulation.
The overall production and quality of the song is excellent for this genre. Some songs of this variety have a sound much like that of a flat-line on a heart monitor; this tune has personality about it. It could be an excellent model for aspiring artists in this genre to emulate. Cerebral Noize has done a commendable job of taking what could be classified as just plain 'noise' and making it into a respectable, enjoyable (if you're into this type of sound) experience.
Overall, I give this tune a big thumbs up, and would recommend it highly to all Metal enthusiasts. Brace yourself for the onslaught!"
Similar to: Slipknot, Spineshank
– Review of Stake Through The Head by Seismic Anamoly at GodsOfMusic.com, December 22, 2002
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"Cerebral Noize's demo impresses right off with its excellent quality of recording. Their Motorhead-meets-hardcore-meets Faith No More style kicks butt with high energy, and shows potential of even greater originality in the future."
– Demo review by The Rocket (October 6-20, 1999 issue). View review.
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"Cerebral Noize is a fast, elaborate metal / punk hybrid that goes way beyond either genre. The band's music is both sophisticated and furious, yet fun with moments of slower melodic sections to soothe you from the onslaught. A must have for any fan of chaotic creativity!"
– James Allin, Visionaire
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Negative Reviews:
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Before three years Celebral Noize, release their latest album with the title "Process". In this album you will find thirteen tracks and a nice package but this isn't enough to make you to buy it. Musically the band walks in fast, hard and aggressive part of metal with a lot of noise elements.
Personally as many times i heard their stuff i didn't like their music. I didn't find something really interesting in their compositions. Nothing to attracts me in order to pay more atention to their release.
If you are interesting to their stuff you can visit their official site and to hear some samples in order to have your own opinion.
– Antonis Maglaras, metaldomination.net
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Have you ever wondered what would happen if you mix punk (not hardcore, but punk) and metal into one package? If so, then your prayers have been answered with the creation of Cerebral Noize’s Unprocess. Well, I hope you’re happy now, because this concoction has arrived and I for one don’t like it one bit. Far too often this fusion feels too speratic and forced. In one song you can go from gothic melody to a shout-along type chorus. Take all the generic elements of gothic metal, melodic metal, and punk and this is what you have, thirteen tracks that seem to go absolutely nowhere.
Headed up mainly by one man, Cale Burr, (with Steve Egan on bass and various other guest musicians) has average musicianship going on with no instrument ever really out shining the other. Cale Burr’s guitar riffs all follow blandly along with his keyboards and decent drums. Steve Egan’s bass lines are nothing too special and Burr’s vokills don’t really help either. Those too, jump all over the place going from a metal rasp to just straight up shouting with some female gothic singing and male, almost Viking metal style chanting (although done horribly).
One could argue I’m being a bit harsh on this, but I could argue you haven’t heard this mish-mash of music gone array. If in some other dimension I become someone who loves punk AND metal, with the attention span of a 2 year-old, and can’t listen to one genre or the other for more than 5 seconds without switching back, then I might begin to enjoy what’s offered here. But since that’s about as likely as me using Fred Durst and “enjoyable music” in the same sentence, I’m not going to hold my breath.
– Ryan Plunkett, metalreview.com
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To begin, it must be said that after looking through this "band's" web site (and additionally through the creator's portfolio, wedding pictures, resume, bio, and favorite CD lists from the past 20+ years, I am finding it hard to keep in the mood I was in when I listened to Process by Cerebral Noize. This guy seems to be a decent, hard-working guy. He has a number of talents and pursues music as a side project to his full-time work as a graphic artist. He kinda reminds me of myself in that way — full-time newspaper editor who freelances as a reviewer because he loves all kinds of music. But then sense grabbed a hold of me and said, "Yeah, he seems nice, but your job is to review that CD that was driving you nuts earlier." So that is what I am now going to do.
See, the album Process (and the process by which Process was created) is best described by the creator himself. He says, "the elaborate music of Cerebral Noize is a seemingly ridiculous, yet somehow tasty hybrid of metal and punk rock sprinkled mixed with sprinklings of other eclectic influences." Sprinklings? Next, Burr describes how he became involved in music: "Cerebral Noize really began in 1991 when friend Lonni Bopp showed Cale Burr how to play a power chord. The band (or non-band) would take on various forms and names over the years that followed. In October 1994, fresh out of college with a Bachelors degree in Visual Communication, Cale purchased his first Macintosh computer. It didn't take long for him to realize that it was the key that would make recording a CD possible. Frustrated by his inability to find the right members to maintain a full band, Cale decided that he would record a CD by himself."
This is really a recipe for disaster. The album really is an amalgam of all kinds of influences, with each individual track lacking direction and, therefore, making the overall message of the music indecipherable. I hear punk, hardcore, power metal, goth metal, thrash, Pink Floyd (?), and a host of other influences. On Burr's "Best of 2003" list, he favors bands such as Children of Bodom, Strapping Young Lad, The Exploited, Shakira, Raunchy, and more — each of which I can hear in one form or another in Process . . . all except for Shakira, that is. (Shakra not Shakira –Cale)
Poor production continues to hinder the album even further, giving an overall feel of an 80s-rejected fantasy/sci-fi movie soundtrack. The only track that comes even close to being redeeming is "Nature of Evil," which is much shorter than the other drawn-out tracks and has an interesting black metal sound. But overall, the only other possible redeeming factors are elementary (such as being a solid guitar player, though not a creative songwriter) and hardly worth mentioning just to draw away from all the negativity.
Sorry bro, but the music isn't very good at all - particularly since you say it took eight years to come up with. Best of luck to you and your career. Readers, music lovers - skip this one. For a sample, you can stream each song from the album on the band's site.
– Jotun, Metal Judgment, 4-23-04
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