This CD is only 20 minutes long, but Gryp manages to cram an incredible amount of variety into these five songs. Overall the music could be called hardcore, but the list of other influences on the music, and especially on Curtis Shamlin's vocals, is quite long. In addition to his effective hardcore scream, Shamlin utilizes some psychotic rap-style delivery, a sort of hardcore whine, and a trippy, clean vocal--all slightly reminiscent of Allan Aguirre (Scaterd Few/Spyglass Blue) or even Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies). That's not all, though. There are also more metallic vocals similar to the vocals on Jesus Freaks' first CD Socially Unacceptable, some clean slower singing, some slower spoken parts that sound like that weird voice Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) sometimes uses, and even a slight Hetfieldism on one song.
Musically, they play an enjoyable variety of metallic fast/slow hardcore with some psychedelic interludes. The singing is generally decipherable, which helps since there is no lyric sheet. From what I can gather, Gryp is clearly a band made up of Christian individuals who are very up-front about their beliefs and are not afraid to be honest before God.
Where were you when my parents divorced
Where were you when my sister was born a vegetable
Where were you when I had nothing left
You say you care
Where were you
Where...
(from the song "You Were There")
This song does some heavy duty questioning and even directs some angry accusation toward God, but the conclusion shows the questioning individual realizing that God cares and was there the whole time. A good song!
One line from "Hypocrite" identifies the focus of the band:
What are your intentions, you say to me to glorify God, can't you see?
Overall, the production is good and heavy. Although hardcore is not among my favorite musical styles, I enjoyed Real and didn't have any major complaints to speak of.
4 tocks
