Post by thesoundmonitor on Jan 6, 2004 22:42:14 GMT -5
IN DECEMBER
Zero 2 Sixty
(12th Planet Music)
As a young band In December’s debut EP pastes together the all too familiar elements of chunky guitars, a sledgehammer rhythm section, soaring melodic vocals and plenty of angst and darkness. Some bands in the alternative metal genre had enough sense to move beyond merely relying on noise, texture, and sheer aggression to put their music across. However, some bands are content to hang onto what they’re comfortable with and are seemingly being left behind.
In December’s sound is noisy and powerful and they seem to approach the music with strong emotional commitment, yet their sound owes a large debt to bands like the Deftones. ‘Harsh’ finds these four young guys grinding away heavily at the alternative metal stone for all it’s worth. ‘Hedge Maze’ raises a little more interest with the addition of an intriguing array of spinning vocal effects and some solid drumming. ‘Salted Wounds’ offers a mildly pleasing, yet simplistic array of chunky groove-oriented riffs and throaty spleen venting vocals. In December is far from the worst the genre has to offer, but Zero 2 Sixty just seems to revisit a tried and tested formula.
Brad Larter
Band website: www.indecember.com
Label website: www.12thplanetmusic.com
Buy this album: www.12thplanetmusic.com
Zero 2 Sixty
(12th Planet Music)
As a young band In December’s debut EP pastes together the all too familiar elements of chunky guitars, a sledgehammer rhythm section, soaring melodic vocals and plenty of angst and darkness. Some bands in the alternative metal genre had enough sense to move beyond merely relying on noise, texture, and sheer aggression to put their music across. However, some bands are content to hang onto what they’re comfortable with and are seemingly being left behind.
In December’s sound is noisy and powerful and they seem to approach the music with strong emotional commitment, yet their sound owes a large debt to bands like the Deftones. ‘Harsh’ finds these four young guys grinding away heavily at the alternative metal stone for all it’s worth. ‘Hedge Maze’ raises a little more interest with the addition of an intriguing array of spinning vocal effects and some solid drumming. ‘Salted Wounds’ offers a mildly pleasing, yet simplistic array of chunky groove-oriented riffs and throaty spleen venting vocals. In December is far from the worst the genre has to offer, but Zero 2 Sixty just seems to revisit a tried and tested formula.
Brad Larter
Band website: www.indecember.com
Label website: www.12thplanetmusic.com
Buy this album: www.12thplanetmusic.com