EngineerSyracuse's Hex Records is running shit in the metalcore scene as of late it seems, every time you sleep on them for a second they drill you in the chin with a slew of metalcore gems, and as of late, the releases have been heavily influenced by Seattle's metalcore masterminds, Botch, one of the most influential metalcore bands of all time.
But enough about Botch and Hex Records, I had been introduced to the band before from their previously released material, a split with their label mates Achilles, and an EP, "Suffocation Of The Artisan, while all of those songs were brilliant in their own regard. This release shows the band progressing tenfold, now that they have the rare ability to create an actual album rather than just a collection of songs with a witty album title. I wonder if that has anything to do with the band being almost entirely made up of brothers, three to be exact, and these guys must have extremely keen awareness of each other because these guys are on the same wave link from top to bottom in regards to their song writing abilities.
Their debut full length, "Reproach" is a nine track gem of concise song writing that dizzies the listener with a vast array of sonic layers while the drums pound away at your being as the low bellowing vocal stylings of Bob Gorham seeps into your subconscious mind. Through out each of the nine tracks, the band is able to capture your attention and not let go while they bombard your auditory system with an arsenal of pull off runs and dark discordant riffing while creatively making use of wall shattering power chords. As frantic as the music is, each note and phrase is not without purpose and after you take the time to let it all sink in, you realize how well everything flows together, as if each riff was destined to go into the next. The band actually gives you time to have an epiphany during the final track "The Long War" where the band plays a long and winding build up that finally erupts and as the residue washes away and the sky clears, the band drones on with a melodic outro to help you gather your thoughts and pick yourself up off the ground.
The recording and production is critical to begin with, but with so much going on in the background it's especially important that an album like this reaches it's full potential with top notch production. And just like every other release on Hex Records, this was recorded by the great Chris Owens of the Lords and who better than he to take on the task of optimizing the bands vision.
The layout fits the music to a tee, making use of earthly colors and images of vines and leaves ascending to a figure I can't discern, just a black blot that a therapist would show you. Don't be an idiot, if you like metalcore you damn well better pick this one up.
Rating: 4.5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Heel Toe, Heavy Drag, In The Grit
Thesis: A perfectly executed theme and concept that shines through on this metalcore album that is more than worthy of adding to your collection For fans of Coalesce, Botch, His Hero Is Gone, Achilles, etc,. (Editor's Note: This review should have been up back in March. But for whatever reason it got lost. Better late than never right?)