I'll have to pass. I think these dudes are from Texas, and they play metalcore that has a good sense of melody as well as a lot of discordance and a bit of chaotic stuff. Now, I don't really like it, but at the same time there are some riffs that totally kill. "Yesterday's Relapse" especially has some really forceful riffing. The problem is that the songwriting sort of loses itself in lots of random changes and a lack of fluidity. There are no real transitions, just stacked riffs from massive chord progressions to death metal riffs, melodic Swedish runs, caustic lead lines, chunky time signatures... it's all over the place, really. I like the vocals (generic screams, but they are pretty ripping) and the drumming (tight playing and some slick little nuances to the cymbal work add some great flare), but the guitar playing isn't always that tight and the bass doesn't play a large role. Next to the writing mishaps the irritating recording is the second huge culprit. Everything is thin and pretty flimsy, especially the percussion, which sounds absolutely intolerably rigid and triggered. They cut straight through the mix. I really love the drummer's style, but god damn does that powerless tone need to go. The guitars are tolerable but need more crunch, and the bass needs its own space in the mix. I'm not wild on the layout because it's all a little dark and muddy, and I dislike the typefaces used for various reasons. They're on the right track with the look, but it still comes off as a bit crude. Tolerable, but crude. Lyrically things are sort of abstract, dealing with the personal in large part: "You still tell that same joke blaming your lack of passion on money... let's talk my time stranger don't look to me for sympathy..." There are a lot of misspellings in the lyrics, to a very noticeable degree, so that's something to think about as well. Maybe this EP was a bit premature, I don't know. The intro to "Soccer Moms Killed Jesus" (horrible title) is fucking sweet - definitely the most forceful and sinister riff herein - but they never stick with what works for 'em. I'm just not into it. A few good moments, a few good musicians... it just needs more work.
[self-released]
Running time - 15:43, Tracks: 4
[Notable tracks: parts of "Yesterday's Relapse" and "Soccer Moms Killed Jesus"]
The Noetic - http://www.thenoetic.com
