Here's some groove-laden metalcore with nu-metal leanings from Ohio. I like this a little bit better than their last CD, but there are still some problems. I don't like the overly groovy chord progressions at all because they're just bland and boring. I do like the faster moshy rhythms, the vocal variation, and the darker (at times melodic) playing. The sludgy riffing and Hatebreed-esque parts are come and go - some are good, some aren't that hot. Sadly most of the record is a pretty unassuming mishmash of similar styles, but there are two distinct winners: "Watch the Skies" is much more melodic and brings in some singing vocals, as does "Always" - where the riffing is far more energetic and melodic. Both tracks are really catchy and instantly stand out. Now, the singing vocals aren't emphatic enough and they do need work (singing louder without holding back and adding in some harmonies is they key), but the writing in these two songs eclipses everything else on the disc. The production is often close to being right on the mark, but it's very inconsistent, so some songs sound better than others. The guitars are heavy and very nicely textured, the drums generally sound good (rarely letting their rigidity take control), the vocals are solid, and I can hear some bass. I'd probably turn the guitars and vocals down ever so slightly, up the bass in the center of the mix, and give the drums more warmth. I'm not that big on the layout. The CD is handsomely secured in a digipack, but the visuals are all computer-generated, and even though it's all consistent, it just doesn't interest me or fit the feel of the music at all. It's more like something I would expect from a bad industrial band. They include all of the lyrics in a very compact format, though. Most of the songs deal with how fucked up the world is and stuff like that, "Everyday I rise to a world built on greed and lies. I guess you can say that I'm not surprised we haven't killed ourselves yet. Don't waste your time trying to change. Don't spend your life living in fear. It's not enough - it never is. There's always more to it than this..." A part of me wants to say that these guys should shorten their songs by a minute or so each, but at the same time the two best pieces are among the longest. I'd definitely recommend fucking the ultra heavy factor and working on the melody and the singing vocals instead, because if every song on this disc was along the lines of "Always" it would be a much more promising endeavor.
[self-released]
Running time - 52:40, Tracks: 13
[Notable tracks: Watch the Skies, Always]
NDE - http://www.ndende.com
