Review Summary: 10 Years are 10 years in, and they are not getting better with age.
10 Years- From Birth to Burial.
The fifth major label releases from 10 Years is a bit of an ambush. 10 Years fans are used to being treated to a mix of alternative/progressive metal, highlighted by Jesse Haseks always impressive vocal delivery; he is often compared to Tool’s Maynard Keenan and The Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno. Due mostly to his ability to switch from aggressive screams to traditional delivery at the drop of a hat.
I used the word ambush earlier, as this is how I felt when I first listened to this album. What we have here is their most aggressive release to date. Much of the atmospheric filler that is found on previous releases has been removed. The first four tracks come at you at a relentless pace...by 10 Years standards anyway. It’s not until we reach ‘luna’ that we get to take our first breath.
These fists four tracks showcase a side to 10 Years that is exciting and fresh. I can’t help but think that if these tracks alone were released as an EP; they would get more people talking and appeal to the more casual, time restrained listener.
Unfortunately, after track four is where the album loses all sense of direction and inspiration. ‘Crimson Kiss’ and ‘The River’ can be stored under instantly forgettable, and although ‘Ashes’ tries to pick the pace back up, I’m afraid by know though, the casual listener would of lost interest. It’s only the diehard amongst us who will reap a small reward by sticking around for the final two tracks, ‘Miscellanea’ and ‘Moisture Residue. These two tracks mould together perfectly to see out the album in true 10 years style.
From Birth to Burial is ultimately without direction, real inspiration and ambition. You can’t help but feel that 10 Years are destined and doomed to forever be stuck in third gear.
