From Texas, this 5 piece metal core outfit have produced a very solid and accessible debut album. This is their first album, called ‘Things that make you Scream’ and has 12 songs on it. From the bio and the opening track, I sort of knew what to expect, but a little predictability is not a bad thing in this case, as they do what they do well.
Mask is their opening song and I can see why. A punchy rocking track where you can hear they are working their arses off. The drummer is working the double kick and the singer is spitting venom in between some surprisingly polished vocal parts. Til Death do us part has a very slick commercial rock sound. Pieces is one of the more aggressive songs on the album, but I really like the smoother approach the singer does in the chorus.
Intersection opens with a busy guitar intro, and has a big vocals chorus. Reminds me a little of incubus. Skin Deep is a power ballad (yes with keyboard too), and one of the better ones I have heard. Ultra violence is a does not quite seem to fit, beginning with a kick drum intro and it felt like the singer was pushing a little close to a genre he doesn’t really need to go to.
The core is quite heavy for their style also, but the difference is it works, as it’s just a bit more subtle and allows itself the time it needs to build up. Truth in lies is a great instrumental finish to the album with its syncopated riff.
Production is first rate, and as an aside, I particularly liked how the bass drum sits in the mix, instead of sounding like a typewriter.
They basically feel like an excellent heavy rock band to me, and while they can clearly play thrash and aggressive styles, I would probably prefer their playing on the next album to be just a little closer to commercial rock, as that seems to be where they really shine.
Label:
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewer: Matt
