THE PRINCIPLE OF DOUBT

A lackluster performance by an otherwise very talented group. This is one of my least favorite Mekong Delta releases, with few engaging tracks (only the Twilight Zone cover is enjoyable) and lacking in much of the classical textures that distinguish this band from being a mere thrash output. The original tracks are fairly tepid, and really fail to get going from the start.

At this point in their career, Mekong Delta had already shown affections towards classical based compositions, so I am somewhat at a loss at the lack of influences found here in that regard. Most of it sounds like second-rate Megadeth, and really fails to show how the band can and has shined. Twilight Zone is the only real solace, an excellent cover that is just as haunting, if not more so, than the original.

Check out other Mekong Delta albums to get a better idea about what this band is about. Not as poor as Kaleidescope, but still not up to par. A small blemish on an otherwise great career.

MEKONG DELTA had released 2 very curious albums before this one featuring odd technical riffs with odd singing that didn't really lend itself to thrash, singing often in different keys but obviously intentionally and most curious of all was the seemless integration of thrash instrumentation in a classical framework.

On 'Principle of Doubt' unfortunately the group had decided to take a more straight up thrash approach, the dark atmosphere is still here though but the classical-thrash hybrids are barely there at all. The album starts with the best song in 'A Question of Trust', a tech thrash thriller with some brutal double kick, probably one of the best tech-thrash songs of their career but unfortunately from there it all slows down a bit and gets a bit stale. Another highlight is a cover of the theme from the TV series 'The Twilight Zone' which came a little bit out of left field but is executed perfectly in the same vein as the classical-thrash hybrids they're so renowned for. Unfortunately unless you count the aforementioned song the only foray into classical territory is 'El Colibri' which is a pitiful one minute and 20 seconds long.

The production improved markedly for 'Principle of Doubt' with some well defined guitar and drums but not much else did, recommended only to fans of the band and tech thrash die-hards.