Many have not heard the name, but I guarantee by next summer
Escape The Fate will be a fairly common name. Let’s face it, they have everything important; black hair, over a million myspace plays and multiple vocalists. Getting off of the subject they also contain some nicely executed melodic guitar riffs, blazing double bass, and enough hooks to supply a commercial fisherman. Vocals come off as at least average on both ends on a regular basis and while only five songs, their EP shows plenty of potential and talent. Despite not bringing a plentiful supply of originality to the table
Escape The Fate’s
There’s No Sympathy for the Dead EP has very few tedious and terrible moments, as it is filled with quite an enjoyable sound.
Despite giving Fall Out Boy a run for their money with the longest song title, the opening track
Dragging Bodies in Blue Bags up Really Long Hills is quite the solid introduction as it throws listeners into what is to come. Its intro gives off a high amount of energy before cutting into a wonderful riff. Lead singer Ronnie makes a wonderful first impression as he has quite the voice. It can be quite emotional at times, yet never comes off as a ridiculous whine. The screams are quite inconsistent, as at times they have their moments and others feel a little undeveloped and out of place. As the guitar riff persists, the screams over it end up working quite effectively. There’s even a tasteful guitar solo worked into the mix before things explode into a final chorus. The double bass is used in perfect moderation throughout the song, exploding in spurts at the end providing a nice outro for a wonderful opening song. While the opener hits quite hard, things eventually get a little lighter as the EP progresses.
The Ransom is a perfect example of this and turns out very successful. Vocals are work well with the music, creating quite a catchy chorus. Right from the start of the song a slower tempo is set with the moderate-tempo intro riff. Quite surprising for the genre, bass actually stands out during the verse contributing to a solid rhythm section. Things pick up a little during the second verse as the screams come out, but as a whole the song still keeps its lighter sounding nature. After another chorus and a little bridge things break into a dual guitar harmonization riff. It ends up being executed superbly as the chorus comes out over the riff providing a very effective a diverse ending to an excellent song.
Things pick up for a heavy ender in
The Guillotine . Unfortunately the music acquires a very sour taste as the screams really sound out of place here. Compared to the music, the screams contrast greatly as they are much lower than on the previous tracks. Entire sections of the song sound like a big breakdown and things really suffer. The brief singing is excellent but is not enough to pull the song out of its slump. Things take a different turn for a lighter instrumental bridge, leading into an 80’s ballad reminiscent solo. Once again, things contrast greatly and sound very out of place. It sounds as though the band has a lot of different ideas and tried to join them together in one song. Things somehow manage to get worse during the final breakdown, as some awful low pitched screams come out over a riff. An intense ending is botched tremendously as things just come off as cheesy and uninspired. Despite its wonderful start, things end quite bitterly as the EP comes to a close.
So for a debut EP 3 great songs 1 good and 1 terrible is not half bad. Things are not ground breaking original but an enjoyable sound is present and some interesting elements are present. The singing is soothing, guitar riffs come nicely, solos are present and well used, drums are solid throughout, and even bass is heard and adds a nice touch for the rhythms. Aside from the inconsistent and out of place screaming, there is no other major complaint about the EP (save the last track). Many enjoyable aspects are combined and for the most part are executed in a fantastic manner. Fans of Bullet For My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, From First to Last, and maybe even Funeral For A Friend should find a lot to enjoy from
Escape The Fate and their Epitaph debut
There’s No Sympathy for the Dead EP. Be on the watch as it is only a matter of time until the band is a common name. The future looks quite bright for the quintet from Vegas.
Track Ratings:
1. Dragging Dead Bodies In Blue Bags Up Really Long Hills: 4.5/5
2. There's No Sympathy for the Dead: 4/5
3. The Ransom: 4.5/5
4. As You're Falling Down: 3.5/5
5. The Guillotine: 2/5
Final Rating: 3.5/5
