Powertrip was the final effort from
Ludichrist before the group changed their name and their speed metal ways. The resulting
Scatterbrain deservedly garnered more attention and better record sales, but there are some nice moments on
Powertrip that foreshadow the jazz/soul/pop-influenced
Scatterbrain without muddling the final hardcore strains of this swan song. Standouts include "The Tip of My Mind," "The Well-Dressed Man Disguise," and "Damage Done," which shifts through some incredibly fast bridge sections, cool hardcore hollering courtesy of namesake
Tommy Christ, and the angular guitar work of
Glen Cummings and
Paul Nieder. With their unison riffing and harmony wails, these two deserve special notice for managing a creative take on a tiring genre. Bassist
Mike Walters and drummer
Dave Miranda also should be credited just for being able to keep up with the guitar duo's compositions that endlessly bob and weave. A small musical advance beyond
Immaculate Deception,
Powertrip is
Ludichrist's best recording.