A great metalcore/hardcore CD to add to your collection, this EP from the lively band Life In Pictures will have you doing spinkicks before you can say "moshdance".
This EP was one of the ones that really caught my attention, one that I could listen to over and over, and feel the guitar and vocals pulse inside me. A very powerful record, and with such younng members touring the country (ages 17-21), you'll be amazed at the sheer punch these guys put into their music.
I guess you could say it helped in writing this review that I met the band (I was lucky enough at a local show to hang with them...what great guys). Anyway, to kick off the record, in "When Faces Become Numbers", Henry comes right in with his gut-wrenching screams. Like most of their songs, this song goes through a couple of different moods, from frantic punkish to dark and eerie to just plain INTENSE. All in all, this song gets a 4/5.
The next track, "Skipping The Beat", becomes a little less punchy, but nevertheless kept alive by Henry on vocals and Skip on drums, throughout the song, becomes a little darker, then builds up to insanely heavy, but slower. Reminds me of something by Killswitch.
I give it a 3.5/5.
The next track, "Red Fall", will keep you guessing, as for the first 2 measures it's a but fast-paced with palm-muted guitar, then it goes into a dive with Kelly shredding on bass with Skip accompanying, then another nice guitar melody. Another song with different moods that change rapidly and go back and forth. Henry's screams are more intense than ever on this track. It is my favorite from the album. 5/5.
Following "Red Fall", "An Aging Monarch" will kick you in the face and keep on doing it, even as it gets slower and faster. Great to headbang to, also. A lot of changing meters. Mr. "Aging Monarch" gets a 4/5.
To finish off a great album comes "Nicholas Van Orton", which slowly bulids from the beginning into a great closing track that is unforgettable from the album. This is the track that stands out, as it all of a sudden gets faster and goes into a kind of punkish feel, if it weren't for the ringing bass. Reminds me of something from As I Lay Dying. A great ending track to a great EP.
Overall, it's a great hard/metalcore CD and if you like what I said about it, go buy it. C'mon, support the band. Remember, I met these guys, and they have an old rusted Chevy 20 to tour in. They're borrowing As I Lay Dying's tour van right now, and THAT'S not even working out. They like the Chevy, but who couldn't use a new car, huh? Anyway, before I start to ramble even MORE, that's my review. The album gets a 4/5. Thanks for reading.
