AnterrabaeYou know a label is trying to make it big and make some cash if they go from releasing quality material from bands such as Shockwave and 25 Ta Life to some of the worst metalcore and indie rock garbage this side of the hemisphere. You take out their release of Death Threat's "Now Here Fast" last year and they haven't done shit worth mentioning in years.
I figured since I actually sat down and endured the audio agony I might as well give this thing a full on review, even though I could've easily ended it with the paragraph above, but I will try to do my best to maintain professionalism and write a thorough review.
Okay, these Long Islander's play the whole jet black hair and girl pant's metalcore angle with some lengthy melodic interludes and breakdowns that I've heard god knows how many times. Even though as the press sheet says they don't stick to the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-build-up-breakdown-chorus approach, they are still just as unimaginative with their approach to song writing. Sorry to break it the people who wrote this band's press release, they aren't doing anything "refreshing," they are merely doing the same shit terrible bands like The Bled and Every Time I Die have been doing. While I was attempting to give this a fair listen, I kept thinking to myself, "Hey that melodic section sounds familiar," or "Damn I've heard that breakdown somewhere before."
Since their last release, the band's old vocalist Neil left the band and has been replaced by a guy named Erik. Quite frankly, doesn't make a god damned difference to me. This guy sounds just as forgettable as the music.
The production was decent. I really liked the tone the bass had, the producer did a good job of lowering and elevating the levels for certain parts of the songs. The guitar tone was alright, could've used a little more fullness though. The drums sounded good. The vocals were alright, can't really complain about that. I also liked the slight use of ambience in certain parts of the album.
For me the strongest aspect of this release it the layout. It was pressed on matte stock paper, and features a fairly decent sized booklet. They used a nice mix of earth tone colors that are nicely juxtaposed against the animal and landscape laden layout. Actually it was put together damn well. But they managed to put a blemish on it by putting the band shot in the tray. God damn, I can't say it enough, I don't want to see your fucking button down shirts, and your queer ass 50 dollar haircuts.
Rating: 1/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: None
Thesis: If you listen to bands like As I Lay Dying, The Bled, Every Time I Die, Atreyu, Silverstein, etc,. This will be right up your alley. I however, will never be listening to this band again.