File Under: Heavy Modern Rock rating: D+ tracks 1. Spacesuit 2. Whose Side Are You On? 3. Just One Tuesday 4. Proud 5. Start Again 6. Deadbeat 7. Take Me With You 8. Free 9. Words (Last Summer) 10. Ghosts in the Room 11. Let Myself Down 12. Say Goodbye 13. Squeezed Out Plot related links 6gig Ultimatum Music

Heavy, hard grunge, 6gig is Eddie Veder and Metallica's bastard child, the one who grabbed the guitar and cranked up the amp when his parents weren't looking. The one that pisses off the neighbors.

Song after thundering song throw down the gauntlet, pounding power chord after power chord. Meanwhile, Walt Craven balances his vocals on a safe path, belting out lyrics with Creed-like sincerity. Yet the often-incomprehensible jargon layed over the grinding instrumentation is void of emotional conviction. Instead leading the chaos into the fire, the words add to the confusion. Confused? As am I, after my third listen of 6gig's latest release, Mind Over Mind.

It's not that there is anything wrong with the album, but nothing is particularly right. The weighty guitars, deep bass, and sustained vocals carry a good energy, but fail to compensate for lack of memorable hooks, bland melodies, and straightforward drumming. Sometimes you wish those kids next door would sell their instruments and get a nice, quiet drug habit.

If hard rock is your bag and you care not the origin of the monster chords as long as the rock-don't-stop, add 6gig to your collection. Those with undamaged eardrums, stay at least three houses away.

Eric Myers is a Contributing Writer. Contact him at octoon@hotmail.com.