A Perfect MurderWhat a weird mix, a bunch of dudes from Quebec Canada with a vocalist from Nashville. I'm pretty sure that this is the band's 3rd vocalist already, so it's like every album the band is introducing a new voice. The band has already released a large amount of material, an EP titled "Blood Covered Words", their debut full length "Cease To Suffer", their debut Victory full length "Unbroken"and their release previous to this one "Strength Through Vengeance". I'm sure I probably missed an EP or two.
I've never been a follower of these guys but I have heard "Cease To Suffer" which is easily the bands best material and most likely will be for their career and I've also heard "Strength Through Vengeance" which was a dookie fest compared to CTS. This album is a bit closer to CTS but it still doesn't hold a candle to it.
The only original member left in the group is the main songwriter and ex-vocalist, Carl Bouchard, you would think this would lead to the band exploring new approaches but I guess not as long as Carl is around. I can respect a band for sticking to their roots but by now a little experimentation wouldn't hurt. I'm not talking about going emo or a complete change of style, just incorporate some new shit, ya know?
As I mentioned they have yet another vocalist. And the guy definitely has some vicious screams but when he clean sings it's like a mix between Godsmack and Type O Negative, and this is especially prevalent in the song "Fortunate Son". I don't like it and it annoyed the living shit out of me.
The album packs 10 songs into the effort with the songs staying pretty consistent at the late three minute, early four minute range. The album is without question extremely top heavy, the best two songs are within the first four. By the time you get to "Rapture" things start to cool off a bit and you get to hear even more of dude's singing (AH).
Considering these guys are a pretty big band by now, after all they are on Victory right? So if the recording sounds like shit it's either because the band used a shitty studio and got ripped off or spent all their money on booze and had to live with a 3rd rate studio. Neither is the case, this thing sounds big. The guitar brings the heavy with a jarring tone, perfect for the galloping riffing going on. The bass tone is solid, lacks a bit presence but nothing to really bitch about. The drums sound good, they don't sound too artificial. The vocals have good placement. Thumbs up in this department.
For all intensive purposes these guys are a Canadian band with a Nashville, TN vocalist so I don't quite understand the layout. I mean a confederate flag with the colors darkened to navy blue and maroon? And then a saint emblem? I just don't get it. It's fucking stupid quite honestly. The booklet is an eight pager and uses the theme and color scheme from the confederate flag and the lyrics are written in that scratched look, a little bit of a bitch to read though.
Rating: 2.8/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: War of Aggression and Within
Synopsis: Ah, some of the riffs are pretty damn cool and for the most part the vocals are good, when he isn't fake singing that is. This album just didn't really do it for me, everything sounded too contrived. If this thing was a 5 song EP, it would've been sweeeeet. Instead it comes off as a decent album with loads of filler, with a really shitty layout to boot.