German born multi-instrumentalist Henning Pauly puts out, with Credit Where Credit Is Due, an album that is very hard to classify. Consisting of 13 songs, most of them in the three to five minute range, they are clearly in the metal genre, but also clearly not what we usually expect from that genre. The main difference lies in the use of sampled drums sounds, loops... and other "modern" sounding electronic gizmos (for lack of a better description!). The tracks are song based and quite "catchy" I may add. Singer Juan Roos reminds me of Billy Idol. Some will like him, others will not, but his performance is very energetic and excellent.
Henning Pauly is well known for his participation in Prog projects like Frameshift and Chain. Credit Where Credit Is Due will not remind you of either. Credit (pun intended) to him for not rehashing his work with other bands and putting out an album only to please his fans or his wallet. He has tried, and succeeded in making a very original album. Two tracks should be singled out though... "Halo", clocking at about 12 minutes, that is very much in the Operatic Prog Metal style. It is based on the music of a well known video game and should appeal to the younger crowd and to Metal Prog fans. Also, the last track, a 14 minute Speed Metal song featuring German (I guess) spoken words, is one of the weirdest thing I have recently heard.
Perhaps Credit Where Credit Is Due is something not for everyone, but it is very much worth checking out. Go to Pauly's website and listen to some of his music.
