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Intrinsic is a California-based band that has a history similar to so many bands in Metal. They started out in 1984, released a debut album that generated some buzz, recorded a second album that by the time they finished around 91-92 was out of step with where Metal and the industry was heading and the album was shelved. 25 years and a more favorable climate later and the band is finally able to release that album, titled Nails.

Musically there is quite a variety of influences that can be heard on Nails. The big riffs and huge vocal melodies of "Die Trying" and "Pillar of Fire" have an epic, Maiden vibe. "Mourn for Her" is in more of a bluesy, early Priest vein with introspective lyrics and a sedate tempo. "Inner Sanctum" and its tinkling guitar picking and ethereal melody remind me of Prog Rock bands like Yes or Starcastle. The cover of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" feels out of place while the groove-laden ode to marijuana "Cannabis Sativa" is downright irritating.

None of the songs are bad per se (except "Cannabis Sativa") but the album as a whole has an incoherent and unfocused feel. There's nothing wrong with pushing boundaries and flaunting expectations but I never felt like Nails gelled in any appreciable way. Kudos to the band for sticking together, but in the end this album doesn't fill any gaping holes in anyone's collection.