Progress
Despite boasting an appellation better suited to a top-shelf flagellation magazine than an ear-scorching rock crew, the Los Angeles quintet Ultraspank pummel away with uncompromising metal belligerence. Their sophomore effort after changing their name from Indica in 1996 is a quantum leap forward from their eponymous 1998debut. Leather-lunged vocalist Pete Murray careens from harmonic restraint to full-tilt throat abuse on the devastating "Crack." Incubus DJ Chris Kilmore joins the throng on "Stuck," which also benefits from the contributions of formerOzzy Osbourneknob-twiddler Peter Collins. Ultimately, Ultraspank relies on all-conquering force to steamroller listeners into abject submission.--Ian Fortnam