Circle of DeathThese guys are a quartet based out of Duisburg, Germany. They've have been kicking around Germany and the Netherlands for the most part since their inception back in 2003. They have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of hardcore's stalwarts in Irate, Everybody Gets Hurt, Born From Pain, Wisdom In Chains, and Death Threat, just to name a few. Their only previous release was a 6 song demo that came out back in 2005.
This EP contains 7 songs of burly metallic hardcore that will bring to mind Shattered Realm. The vocals are an almost strained gargle with some lower growls thrown in. This guy could easily fit in with a deathcore band that has a heavy emphasis on hardcore. The songs are kept to a good length for the most part, typically around the 2:30-3:00 area. There are also additional songs that were taken from what appears to be a demo, I say this because the recording leaves a lot to be desired. These tracks appear after the 8th track, which is left blank, which I never did quite understand it's just wasted time, you know?
The album opens up with a intro that sounds a bit too rigid for my liking, it's not bad but isn't like the opening of Back of Tha Neck "Fight Everyone". After this brief intro the band jumps into "Faceless" which opens with a 30 second stomped out intro. They then proceed into a nice little two step part. They then break into a really metallic riff until they hammer you with a sweet breakdown that pretty much ends off the song. The following song, "Hard To Live" starts off with pounding double bass and a chunky guitar riff, at about the minute mark they throw in floor moving breakdown until they lay down the most melodic riff of the album, but it's not that melodic, shit not even as melodic as Shattered Realm's "The April Situation". The breakdown that ends off the song is pretty sweet and the little leadish guitar line during the fills was a nice touch. Next up is "Low View" which opens with a fast paced metal riff but that is short lived because soon the band slows it up until they hit you off with another sweet two stepping part. The closing breakdown was alright, not their best though. The fifth track, "Teamkiller" opens up with the guitar playing power chord until the drums and bass kick in to fill out the rest of the intro, the gang vocals used during the verse were good, I would like to hear more of that. The breakdown that closes the song is a bit too similar to the one used at the end of the previous song. "Do It" starts up with a straight forward early 90's hardcore riff which leads into yet another closing breakdown. The closing track, "Circle of Death" starts off like most of the other tracks, with fast double bass and tremolo picking. For some reason this song just stood out to me, it had the urgency that the other tracks were lacking just a bit. The breakdowns seemed harder and the vocals seemed more fierce.
The lyrics are good for what they are, nothing new or original but they suffice. "Faceless" is about a dude that just can't stand up because he's too afraid. The titled track, "Hard To Live" is one those songs that leave me thinking, ehhh. Pretty much the song is about taking your life because life gets too hard. Personally, I'd rather hear a song about hating life so you go around stabbing hookers in the face with a knife. The following song, "Low View" is pretty much about protecting your girl at all costs. She better be some wifey material though you know? The song "Teamkiller" is my favorite song lyrically, it's pretty much a metaphorical song that compares the hardcore scene to playing sports and how we're in this together not against each other. Not a new theme, but a nice little twist. The next song, "Do It" is another song about doing what you think is right. The final track, "Circle of Death" is pretty much a "you fuck with us, you're getting beatdown" type song. Overall, the lyrics aren't the strongest point of the band but they aren't the worst I've heard.
The recording could've been better, it isn't bad but the overall mix isn't all thick as you'd like for this style of hardcore. Next time around I would really like to hear a more beefed up guitar tone to compensate for only having only one guitar (or add an additional guitarist too). The bass tone is pretty decent, it utilizes a treble tone that has enough low end. The drums are actually the best sounding instrument from this recording. No complaints for the vocals.
Not too shabby of a layout . The layout is printed on gloss stock and the booklet is a simple two panel deal. Inside the booklet is just a white background with the lyrics printed on the one side in black with a black and white band photo with their thank's below. The front cover is a photoshopped picture of a dude standing on the sidewalk with a gun to his head with some nice contrasted shit in the background. On the back of the tray is the same sidewalk from the front, it's just minus the dude plus blood, so obviously he blew his brains the fuck out.
Rating: 3/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Circle of Death and Faceless
Synopsis: This isn't bad but it gets a little too by the books and formulaic. It seems every song follows the same formula to a tee, a little variety here and there would help these guys out a lot.
To check out some tracks and what not head on over to the band's MySpace.. Also check out the fine label that released this album: Click here for page. The band has some other songs that they are working on, and from the 2 song I heard from their 2nd demo it shows promise.