Hands down this is one of the best Metal based albums to be released in quite a while. I'm not much of a hardcore/metal fan, but some of the songs on this album are just amazing. Although these guys would not really be considered a straight up metal band, they do have quite a bit of a metal influence. Another influence seems to be indie rock (like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse). On this release the band has found that perfect balance between melodic indie rock, and extremely creative and unique metal.
I think what pulls me into this band is that they have something to say, they're definitely creative and unique, yet they can also hold a melody (unlike many metal/hardcore bands that just seem to want to scream really loud). Overall the guitar riffs are stellar, the bass lines are amazing, and the drumming is very tight. Probably the only downside is that the production isn't the greatest, although not terribly bad either.
Another interesting aspect of this release are some of the sound clips and the lyrical content. Like I said these guys have a lot to say, and it generally has to do with modern day Christianity, more specifically the "Christian" music industry as featured on the song "10-10-99/$Screw the Christian Industry"..."Too much focus on what will sell, market God, get rich quick, liars, whores, hypocrites, thieves, all in the family of God. Try and sell this, when they try to take your life, fall on their knife."
B+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2000Reviewed by MarkThis is probably my favorite heavy record of the year. Tantrum of the Muse have successfully blended ideas from different genres and combined them into a sound all their own. There's parts that are thrashy (ala metal kings Believer), crazy (ala Today is the Day), and just plain weird (ala Mr. Bungle) but never does it sound just like the aforementioned bands. Tantrum knows how to control the…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Matt R.When Tantrum of the Muse's first record came out a big deal was made about how they were innovative, blending Built to Spill type indie-rock with metal, but since this is a sophomore effort there is no need to dwell on that. With a heavy emphasis on the metal side of things, Tantrum of the Muse is definitely one of the most interesting bands I've heard playing metal influenced music. Where as…Similar sounding releases
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