Set Apart Chalice

Item: Set Apart / Chalice
Author: Fetus

Set Apart / Chalice

(1997)

Reviewed by Fetus

YouTube

Label Blank RecordsDead Zine1997

hardcore metalcore

This is an excellent value for any fan of hardcore. Only $8 for the CD which includes S&H. Both bands are out of Fl. and there are a total of 10 songs, 5 from each band. These bands both have strong Christian lyrics which leave no one guessing if their faith is established in Christ.

SET APART

No questions here classifying what music genre here. Straight on Hardcore through and through. This band reminds me of the Unashamed with a little more punk than metal backbone. The vocals are no question STRAINING (sometimes overkill) and do not show much versatility only one style. I really could not distinguish this overall sound style to be any different than your general hardcore sound done over the past 4-5 years. So to be blunt..nothing new you've never heard before here. The lyrics are not cheesy by any means though, very modern struggles that we all face daily and finishing with the answer being faith and trust in God. I'm going to give this a 5 overall and if you're a metal fan with only partial interest in hardcore you shouldn't bother rushin out to check this out.

CHALICE

The main reason I purchased this CD was because I heard this band was SCARY hardcore. Well I have to agree this is very doomy with a distinguished sound. I have been disappointed in the hardcore scene lately because most everybody sounds the same. This band is a little different at parts and are in your face from start to end. The vocal are perfectly described here. The guy's voice sounds like a CAT FIGHT! Very scratchy and straining. I swear the guy is in severe pain. They are somewhat impressive, but do not remain consistent and vocals sometimes get a little sloppy. Although on track 9 "Set Apart's" singer does some background that helps the vocals in the variety department. The music is the best part of this creation. It will turn ears of both hardcore fans as well as metal die-hards. It is very sludgy and distorted achieving a brutal and dark sound 70 percent of the time, with the other 30 percent being more progressive rhythm guitar work and overall speed. 3 of the songs start out with excerpts from old movies that are cool mainly because they are short, preventing listeners from angrily pushing the scan forward button. At parts the general sound is very plain and predictable, so they could use some work if they want to produce a CD that will be played for more than a couple of months before becoming a coaster on Granny's TV tray. Also the vocalist needs to keep the full blown psycho sound through the WHOLE CD. Also some have said this is hardcore meets death-metal. I DO NOT agree. Only doomy hardcore at best. This is a hard one to rate so I give it an "8" for hardcore fans because they offer something a little new and because of the doomy/dark sound, but I give it a "6" for those who don't focus on hardcore as their mainstream tuneage. By this avg. I slap this mutha a 7 overall and am interested in what's next.

7/10