[3.5/5] With Serj Tankian toiling away on a solo record and Dave Mustaine a born-again Christian, someone has to keep the conscientious and contemptuous flag flying in metal. Enter Otep Shamaya, who, three albums in, is still as pissed off as when she first formed the band bearing her name. Only one other member, bassist "Evil" J. McGuire, remains from the original lineup who recorded 2001's debut EP Jihad, but that doesn't matter: However competent the band are in providing world music rhythms and chugging metalcore riffage, they still take a backseat to Shamaya's personality and flair for the dramatic. She still hates republicans (and barely tolerates democrats), but what makes her so eloquent and necessary are the likes of "Perfectly Flawed" and "Eat The Children" that recreate and exercise the demons of domestic violence in her past. With others, it's politics; with Otep, it's personal. (CAPITOL) Brian O'Neill
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