Seneca
Reflections
Lifeforce (2009)
Although they aren't breaking any new ground, especially in the already worn-down genre of metalcore, North Carolina's Seneca are talented at what they do. Though everything they've written on their sophomore album Reflections has been done before, they execute it with such precision and emotion that it gives it a new feel. This isn't to say that their songs were copied or stolen, just that they follow the genre's guide-book to the letter. Reflections opens with an instrumental track "Optical," which is basically just ambiance and a breakdown leading into the album. This is a fitting introduction because, frankly, much of the eleven tracks are breakdowns. In fact, listening to the songs, it's sometimes hard to spot where one breakdown ends and the next begins. Sure there's sweeps and a few hooks, but even they're on top of a breakdown most of the time. But hey, just because it's littered with all-too-many breakdowns, doesn't mean you cant enjoy it, especially with the lyrics and on-time screaming of "Pale Horse" and catchy singing chorus in "Black Gold." The production on Reflections is top notch however, as per Jamie King's (Between the Buried and Me's Colors and The Great Misdirect) expert mixing … Read more
Three Mile Pilot
Planets / Grey Clouds
Temporary Residence (2009)
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This Time Next Year
Road Maps and Heart Attacks
Equal Vision (2009)
The term "pop-punk" has been tarnished and dragged through the mud quite a bit thanks to the surge of boy … Read more
Skeletonwitch
Breathing the Fire
Prosthetic (2009)
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