American Head Charge: Tango Umbrella

Returning nu metal veterans fail to find the spark

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American Head Charge had only released three albums when guitarist Bryan Ottoson died from an overdose in 2005.

Since then, they’ve toured, broken up, reformed, and finally made a new full-length thanks to an Indiegogo campaign. It’s clear Tango Umbrella is a passion project, but that passion isn’t enough to carry the album. Martin Cock’s distinctive vocals often fall down, most noticeably in the chorus of Perfectionist, and most upsettingly in A King Among Men. Clearly a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend – perhaps even Bryan – it sounds thin, mawkish and strained.

Elsewhere, the album is a familiar blend of nu metal and industrial with an edge of freakiness, but the songs are too lumpen to match up to their big hit, Just So You Know or anything on 2005’s The Feeding.

After such a long wait, it’s a shame they haven’t made a great nu metal record or moved with the times.

Eleanor Goodman
Editor, Metal Hammer

Eleanor was promoted to the role of Editor at Metal Hammer magazine after over seven years with the company, having previously served as Deputy Editor and Features Editor. Prior to joining Metal Hammer, El spent three years as Production Editor at Kerrang! and four years as Production Editor and Deputy Editor at Bizarre. She has also written for the likes of Classic Rock, Prog, Rock Sound and Visit London amongst others, and was a regular presenter on the Metal Hammer Podcast.