CassiusAnother one of those bands that somehow get signed to a big label without cutting their teeth and putting out an official demo to the public which always annoys the fuck out of me because I've heard tons of bands who have put out 2 full lengths and countless demos and never once get signed to small label let alone a multi-country label. Well, I'll cut my bitching there. Anyhow, these guys are from the fine scene of Richmond, VA and play the technical metalcore stuff.
There are some really awesome off timed riffs on this record, and some pretty slick breakdowns which are very Meshuggah/Candiria esque. They have some nice lead breaks that break up the monotony of the chug fest but like so many bands these days, good solos are thrown out the window. I could've done without some of lengthy instrumental sections (Elate and Subtract). To me it just comes off as filler because when these guys are going full steam it's pretty damn good. The vocals are good, the guy has a great screaming voice, his death metal growls are alright but I've heard much better.
Chris Dowhan of Red Planet Studios, who has worked with some of metalcore and metal's finest was behind the board for this effort. This is definitely a full sounding album, the guitar tone packs a wallop, the bass tone is full, the drums sound dense, and the vocals had good placement. He and the band also did a good job of mixing in some electric elements, usually I hate that shit but it works in this instance.
Although the way this label sends out press kits I can only comment on the artwork and not the booklet or layout. But judging by what I have to look at, the layout would probably look pretty awesome with all kinds of artsy painting type images.
Rating: 3.5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Funeral March
Synopsis: Very solid effort, for the most part the band has their own sound but in a lot of areas they sound like they are trying to mimic what a lot of bands are doing these days, down to the melancholy instrumental ala Between The Buried And Me. This is good, but the predecessors of this band have done it exponentially better. But, I'd rather have the mall rats listen to this than what ever bullshit they call metal/metalcore and at least these guys dress like guys too.