The self proclaimed "melodic, post-hardcore screamo band" first came to my attention a few weeks back with the rather poor single, 'He Spoke Of Success'. However, tucked awy on the B sides was a rather fabulous riff heavy track called 'A Silent Decade', a song so good, it persuaded me to give their debut album a listen.
But, um, it seems to have been a rare beacon of light in what is a rather dull album. Which is a shame because they seem to be competent musicians, and they certainly make every effort to make a rather generic set of songs seem energetic and interesting. However, it just doesn't come off.
The real weak link is the voice of Josh McKeown who just isn't angry enough when he growls, and isn't melodic enough when he croons. If you're going to go for the whole melodic screamo thing, you've got to be able to carry both off with some style and vengeance, but it all seems as though he's been short changed in the paper shop and is asking for his tuppence back, rather than SCREAMING RAGING ANGER.
But lets look for some good things. Drummer Chris Velissarides puts in an absolutely stunning performance of power, passion and precision, which will should have some bigger names coming sniffing around, and there are a handful of good songs dotted around the album, which perk up your ears when they put in an appearance. Apart from the aforementioned 'A Silent Decade', there's 'Silhouettes On Street Corners' and Keikos Last Smile. They may be trying to cast their net a bit far and wide, trying to fit in so many different genres, as they are at their best when they stick to a more mainstream metalised sound.
There are also some more excellent guitar riffs to enjoy, with a particular cracker on So Season Two, and they even conjure up some rather sweet vocal harmonies on the ballad Yours Faithfully. I may seem to be coming down hard on them, but I think it's a bit early for an album, and they ought to sit down and work out who they want to be before committing anything else to disc.