Review Summary: Hard hitting, latin influenced hard rock that will rock your socks hard.
Now Nonpoint really hasn't gained as much popularity as they should have, other than their home state. In South Florida, Nonpoint are a very popular band with many supportive fans rocking out to their high octane performances, including me as one of them. Nonpoint are a very good live band, playing their instrument's as well as on studio and keeping the crowd on edge with their high tempo rock. The band have released 6 albums over a 10 year period. Still this band doesn't receive much love from the northern states. I think it’s about time the northerners give credit to the south.
Elias Soriano – Vocals
Andrew Goldman – Guitar
Kenneth "KB" Charman – Bass
Robb Rivera – Drums
Nonpoint have been playing music together since early 1997 after forming in Ft Lauderdale, and have retained the same lineup for 10 years amazingly enough, showing their determination and will to succeed. They dropped their first major label debut in October 2000. "Statement" showed much potential in their debut, playing a more primitive version of their newer stuff. Playing a blend of metal, Latin, and punk, Nonpoint have become a musical freight train with every instrument hitting you immediately. What Nonpoint have excelled at is adding parts of their Latin heritage into their energy ridden style of heavy music, creating a diverse sound of their own, never copying bands like Ill Nino. The production of the album was the only downfall to a promising disk. Nonpoint have continually strived harder on their music to revamp their sound until hitting the spot with the brilliant "Recoil. To be honest, this was one of the first CD's I ever bought and inspired me to stop illegally downloading all the band's I listened to, and actually support the musicians.
Now I’m sure everyone has heard their cover of Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight" played in movies, TV, or the 2004 World Series. Like it or not that song has catapulted them into more mainstream capabilities, as radio stations have began playing their music at that time. Nonpoint's fourth full length album "Recoil" is their most solid and complete cd to date. Containing hard hitting guitars providing the base of the music, solid drumming, and a strong vocal performance from Elias Soriano cement this album as their most aggressive and diverse CD they created. Nonpoint blend the South Florida Latin influences exceptionally well into their music, although not completely overpowering the rest of the instrumentation.
Recoil is a melting pot of all their last releases. The guitar riffs have become faster and much harder than previous release's, thanks to Andrew Goldman's energetic performance, spiking the energy level of the album greatly to an 11 out of 10. Robb's drumming has improved greatly and sound's more focused and determined then the latter albums, adding urgency to the music, which can be heard instantly upon first listen. Robb’s percussion throughout is mind bending as he continues to hold down his end of the bargain up with his contributions to the music. Bass is occasionally heard, and when KB is heard , it is a remarkable thing to hear.
Elias's vocal performance is strong and varied as his powerful voice marches through the music, shattering eardrums in the process. Throughout the music, Elias balances his forceful yells with soft whispers perfectly, almost forgetting what to expect when he begins yelling between the English and Spanish language’s at a neck breaking speed that will have rabid dogs slow down immediately. Lyrically, he speaks about many things, ranging from lost love, toward more political leanings, as the excellent head banger " The Truth" demonstrates, as Elias expresses his frustrations of what the government is trying to pull over modern society. Heavy groove's, fast drumming, strong lyrics, and catchy vocals make this a standout of the album. "In The Air Tonight" is well played by the boys of Nonpoint, adding a modern aggressive edge to a classic song. Enlightening lyrics, powerful instrumentation, tight vocals, and a punk rock attitude set this band miles ahead of their nu metal buddies. "Past It All" delves into the CD as the emotional song of Recoil. Although very somber and lyrically about lost love, the vocals never hit the whiny vocal tone that so many bands do today.
All in all, an excellent album that keeps impressing me each and every time. Fans of aggressive music should find no problem enjoying this CD. Godspeed.
Pro's: Hard-hitting and accessible
The Latin influence adds great diversity throughout the disk.
Strong lyrics and songwriting.
Con's: Some might not enjoy the vocal style, as the nu metal influence still tends to appear with the rapping vocals.
