I just love it when a new band comes along that screams for your attention and actually deserves it -- especially when they are not on one of those cool labels that every band is supposed to be on. Most people appreciate the underdog, and a lot of people love to buck the "politically correct" vibe that even an industry or scene called "Christian" falls prey to from time to time. These Five Down mix the dirty, distorted noise of today's class of metal (Korn, Coal Chamber, and even Marilyn Manson) with the low-end growl of old school heavy (a ka Metallica, Pantera). The result is a nasty punch in the stomach. Instead of trying to wow you with flashy musicianship, these five guys opt to just stand there and punch it out. The vocals and rhythm-bed often slow down and drag the listener with a beefy low end and grungy power reminiscent of Alice in Chains. If you're paying attention here, you'll notice that this band is mixing it up a lot. They're more than just a "tune it down and distort the vocals" band, too. The use of dynamics and juxtaposing moods keep the band on the edge. Your first listen will keep you guessing.
Matching the confrontational music are confrontational lyrics that pose threatening questions to many of today's godless and faulty philosophies. "What about the end? What about you, my friend?" are the challenges this band makes in "Revelation." The song "Stand" acts as a war-rallying anthem for believers. "Get It Back" talks in terms of a spiritual warfare, where the consequences of this life are serious. With a vocal attack akin to Godsmack, we're told that there's only one way to live in order to get to the other side. No excuses lyrically, and no apologies musically. This album is an attack.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #31Reviewed by Kyle MinorThe members of These 5 Down wear their musical influences pretty plainly on their sleeves. They cop Primus riffs ("Revelation War"), 311-style grooves ("Enslaved"), and Marilyn Manson-esque vocalizations ("What's Your Kind"). But for copycats, they're pretty good. There are moments on the self-titled debut that are euphoria-inducing. The opening track, "Low," is eminently danceable, in a…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by Hey YouI really didn't hear too much about these guys (except for what my fellow writers have written) but I decided to try it anyway. I'm so very glad i did. What we have here (is a failure to communicate...just kidding :-)) is a mix mainly between Korn and Godsmack. The vocals are very Korny (i've gotta stop this...i'm gonna hurt myself) at times, with the dark spoken parts, then the others are like…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by the ProjectThese 5 Down brings one of those disks that comes around every few years and completely knocks the life out of every band. People love this disk and I heard why. This is such an amazing first effort for a very young band it's scary. This self-titled debut is a killer album. I popped it in and could not believe what exactly I was hearing but I loved it. This is one of my absolute need to have and…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by GrindboySometimes when I hear an album is really above par for a genre, I take a chance on it. I dig an occasional Sevendust or White Zombie tune, and I've become a big Project 86 fan, so I gave These 5 Down a shot. I don't know if it's because this isn't good or if I just don't like the style much, but I'm not going to be spinning this one much at all. What this makes me think of the most is hearing oh,…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by SORGThe first thing one will notice when listening to this new aggro-metal band is the obvious influence from and similarities to the secular band Coal Chamber. These 5 Down have achieved that intense emotional hardcore sound like Coal Chamber only T5D do it even better!! I myself am a big fan of Coal Chamber so when I say "this IS better" you are getting an honest and unbiased answer. This cd proves…
