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ALBUM REVIEW |
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01.
THE HORROR (3:44)
MYSPACE
Length: 57:29 (min:secs)
band@i-def-i.co.uk
Previous i-DEF-i Reviews:
BAND LINE-UP:
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Riding the momentum of their successful and critically acclaimed six track “Bloodlust Casualty” from 2006, the Manchester quartet take their unique brand of alternative metal onto the next phase with the debut full length album “In The Light Of A New Day” for 2007. Packing more punch than Mike Tyson, spilling more energy than a blast furnace yet controlling that power with the mastery of melody and creating density that would belittle a neutron star, i-def-i effortlessly manage a perfect blend of intensity and refrain. Thundering rhythms, murderous violence, squealing guitars, penetrating riffs, breathtaking melodies, picturesque harmony, all tailored into an exquisite bouquet of song writing to delight in. And when you hear vocals of this quality, you know that you are witnessing something quite special. Arguably there are very few front-men of rock today (and even less from the UK) that can really sing, but to get one with this character, versatility and distinction is extremely rare and certainly something to savour! Chris Maher exploits where appropriate both throaty roars and harmonious singing to complement, lift and accentuate each song like a fine craftsman. Taking songs like “The Horror” and “Prosthetiquette” with the blistering pace of tearing riffs and vocals, tempered by an awesome chorus, they are far from shocking appendages. “Incite The Sunrise” is a cornucopia of searing riffs that will keep on surprising the unsuspecting, while “Static and Signals” takes hard rock melodies and shares the space with Anthrax style moshability. To contrast “Kinetic” is a foot off the gas cruise through deep moments of the heart but “966” returns with an almost evil riff running through a disturbed placard of turbulent mood. It would be wrong to exclude “Tunnel Rat” as it’s a poignant showcase of melancholy guitars and majestic vocals with huge commercial appeal, “Asyla” is another fine example of melody mastering the bludgeon and with “Army Of The Locust” hacking riffs chop and screaming guitars slash at the very fabric of the songs integrity. Other highlights include “Closing Season” which takes breakneck riffs that propel almost to completion before Soundgarden sludgery intercepts at the death knell, “Beauty Into Devastation” hints at old school thrash but climaxes in a heap of beautiful melodies that are regularly punctuated by atmospheric squealing guitars and finally “Broken Glass” which is a story delicately told by vocals and solo guitar only. Showing a staggering maturity from both the playing and writing perspective, you’re tempted to use a hackneyed phrase such as “instant classics” to describe the songs found on this album, but not only would this be verging on clichéd it would also nowhere near do them justice. There is hardly a moment squandered for the best part of an hour, which is something all the more rare in an era of padded-out albums and digi-pack overkill. “In The Light Of A New Day” reveals fifteen stylish songs that show the undisputed abilities of a fine band on the verge of proving their full worth to the world.
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- Rigsby
(22nd April, 2007)
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