This disc kicks out 10 short tracks of aggressive and diverse hardcore from this Virginia band that builds off of traditional influences and throws in tons of other stuff like heavier rhythms, modern discordance, solid melody, etc. The vocals tend to be unwavering screams but there is a fair amount of singing on occasion. Oddly enough it reminds me of Endpoint sometimes, but I don't know why... it's definitely heavier than Endpoint ever was. I think it's the vocal delivery and the general energy that bring Endpoint to mind. Who knows? "Like a Hole in the Head" is the only song that tops three minutes and it's a bit more intricate and melodic, but the same can be said for "Lost on the Way to Paradise", which brings in some clean guitars and borderline pop punk influences (barely) not heard elsewhere on the disc. The recording has a 90's sort of feel to it in some ways. The guitars are heavy but a little bit raw, the rhythm section is natural but a little bit plunky (not in a bad way), and the vocals are dry and slightly out front. It sounds fine to me, though. There's room for improvement but I'm not bothered by it at all. The layout's pretty simple. The front cover has a bunch of coffins stacked up on it, then there's a lot of blank dark mustard brown space with some nice band shots where all of the members look dead, and the center spread is all black with nothing but white text (lyrics). The content of the songs tends to be bleak and personal, sometimes more bitter than others. "These are the times when you feel like screaming but all that comes out is the air rushing past your guarded lips I don't see how I can understand you when I don't understand myself I've lost myself..." Visually the photos look great but the fonts are a little bland or out of place. It works, but I wish the text was as clean as the photography. I like this. They keep things moving, all of the songs are concise and to the point, and they pull off a surprising amount of variety without the slightest lack of cohesion. Good job.
[Amendment]
Running time - 21:01, Tracks: 10
[Notable tracks: Like a Hole in the Head, Lost on the Way to Paradise, The Haunted]
Amendment Records - http://www.angelfire.com/punk/amendment/
