Review Summary: Scars of Life prove they could have had great potential. Although not for everyone, basic fans of alternative, metal, nu metal and metalcore should enjoy this.
Scars of Life was an alternative metal band that was active from 1998 to 2007. This is their first full length album, as they had released two EPs and a Demo prior to this album. This was also their last work as they broke up shortly after.
What We Reflect was a very good effort from a band that could have went far, and it makes me wonder what they may have been capable of. The album kicks off with what is probably my least favorite track on the whole CD, Lemon. The song itself isn't bad, I just found that this track was very forgettable compared to the rest of the CD.
Just as Lemon fades out, the quiet opening guitar of Alone Inside comes in and then explodes in a heavy riff with some wicked double bass. Alone inside is one of the heavier and probably best tracks on What We Reflect. The double bass intro and the singing/screaming in the chorus are a standout on this song and the album as a whole.
A couple tracks later is Mute. Kyle's angst oriented lyrics give the song a very in-your-face vibe. The main riff is heavy and distorted which just adds to the overall feel of this song. On the other end of the spectrum, Away From Me is one of the softer tracks on the album. This verses are almost whispered and build up to a powerful chorus.
From this point on the CD really shines. Aside from Alone Inside and Mute, all the better tracks are here. As stated before, it's not that the other tracks are bad, they just can't seem to keep up with some of the other songs.
Watch Me Drown opens up with a slick little riff that has some kind of effect on it then kicks hard into the main riff and some softer vocals come in. This song features some really intense screaming. The next track opens up quietly as Kyle whispers "Descending..." and then "...into you!" and the song picks up. Descending is probably one of the more radio rock songs on the album, but still a very nice song.
As Descending ends the same way it kicked off, only with a scream instead of whispers, that's when the most well known song on this album and by Scars of Life overall comes in, Bullet With Your Name. The song has nice, slow build up then explodes into the chorus with song of the darker lyrics on the album "All the times you stuck me here/and put me on my own/I feel the same that's why/I've got a bullet with your name."
As the end of the CD approaches, Water In My Hands still doesn't slow it down. The song is ones of the heavier ones and features some double bass. The song itself seems as though it's about being pushed around. The song ends with Kyle screaming "Slip! Slip! Slip!" and some more double bass.
Finally the last song, Silent Words kicks in. This song is easily the most mellow on the album as it is all acoustic. The lyrics are the focus in this song and are something everyone can relate to.
"These silent words you'll never hear
These frozen thoughts will not appear
And I'm breaking down inside of me
Still no one sees...."
And with that the CD comes to a close. This album is definitely a great debut album and it's a shame it will be their last. Although it won't be for everyone, it should appeal to fans of alternative, metal, nu metal, metalcore and the like. People looking for really deep, complicated musicianship may not find this album appealing, some may call it "generic", and may say some of the songs suffer from sounding similar. However, if you get into this CD and let it grow it could very well become one of your favorite albums.
Standout Tracks
Alone Inside
Bullet With Your Name
Silent Words
