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The Gauntlet: Hand To Hand |
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Hand To Hand Album Review
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Tracklist
Preamble
Allude
The Arson
Insult With Injuries
Reused Decision
Predictable Gathering
A Silver Medal
Bravo
In A Name
Confiding In A Whisper
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Frenzied, provoking screams of anguish. Invincible, articulate harmonies. Febrile, massive guitar assaults. Each of the phrases is descriptive of the captivating din that seethes from the music contained on the brilliant new effort by Hand To Hand, 'A Perfect Way To Say Goodbye'. When singer Robert Kellom unloads with his assuredly savage vocal belting, you have one of two choices. Run for cover, or get on board for one Hell of a wild ride. If you are any kind of fan of high intensity metalcore, the choice is obvious. But, when Kellom lets go with a tuneful melody, his presence is equally intense. Kellom possesses a voice that is among the best in the genre and is backed by an ensemble that strikes hard and fast with a devastating impact.
'Preamble' gets things going with a fury, a track that begins like a deep thrust, evolving into one of the most memorable choruses in recent recollection. The strumming, unmuted guitar chords let loose by Joel Vilardi and Brock Berryhill are expansive, imparting a wide open emotional sensation. On 'Allude' we find the band exerting tight gallops while on 'Insult To Injuries', Kellom is strictly rabid in his verse delivery. 'A Silver Medal' kicks in with a super heavy riff. Melodic vocals are the dominant theme here, although there are some occasional screams that give the song more power. The bridge of this tune is thick and rumbling before it turns around and rejoins the verse. This is one of the most accessible songs overall on the album and ought to see a bit of attention on radio specialty shows.
You'll love the sliding, distorted riffing on 'Bravo' as well as Kellom's soaring vocals. Bassist Steve Martin locks into a tight groove here with the kick drum of drummer Zach Swain, making for a slamming groove that is sure to get a circle pit going during the group's upcoming European tour. At the end of this track the group softens up a bit, letting the listener down easy before turning to the vibrant strains of 'In A Name', which is as close to as this band gets to a ballad. For the first two minutes of the song things stay restrained until Kellom tears into a further scathing vocal indictment that builds tension and adds further dynamic to the track. The record closes with the acoustic 'Confiding In A Whisper', an extremely mellow tune rich with harmonics that fades into electrical white noise. Buried near the end of this track is a very strange and funny song that you will just have to hear for yourself.
Hand To Hand have a crushing album on their hands with 'A Perfect Way To Say Goodbye'. Matchless in melody and featuring some of the most original sounding aggressive song parts going, this is a release that is without a doubt, not to be missed!
Review by: Erin Fox
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Comments
Phil666 - 2005-11-24 18:55:13
Whoever worte this review is gay. Emo should die. Fuck the posers |
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