Epicurean, "A Consequence of Design"

[Bob.D]

Read the review at http://www.deadtide.com/reviews/albums/page.php?id=4429

...and feel free to discuss the review and/or the album here.
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[The_Quadfather]

In the interest of full disclosure, I am really good friends with the keyboardist, Jared Schneider. Having such an acquaintance is what makes me privy to an early copy of the album. With that said, excellent review! I completely agree on all points. My only additional criticism would be the sometimes excessive use of clean vocals. Don't get me wrong, I love when a band uses multiple vocal styles and the contrast in Laramy's vocals add great effect to the music. It just seems like the clean vocals are a little excessive at times, particularly in Darkest of Days. This is no doubt a personal preference, though. Also, while the band definitely would have benefited from better production, this remastered re-release of the album is 1000% better than the original mix.

Again, solid review.
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Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

[Bob.D]

Thanks, dude. I agree it sounds way better, so I'm excited to hear when they can get a bigger name behind the board for the next record.

I'll agree with the clean vocals too, but I think Laramy does a great job on nearly all of the clean passages.
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[The_Quadfather]

Agreed! Laramy lays down killer vocals on the entire album.

FYI - The band was recently interviewed at somethingpunk.com and stated that they hope to put out a new album in a couple years. They also said the new material is "heavier," but what respectable metal band would say anything less? The next album will hopefully find a producer who will allow the band to have a fuller sound in order to use their epic atmosphere to a greater effect.
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Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

[Mike.S]

I must be missing something. Sounds like overly catchy, almost poppy, melodeath with keyboards. I'll pass.

[Muxlow]

A lot of it reminds me of Into Eternity, which isn't a bad thing, but when those emo MTv boy band clean vocals kick in, it's pretty awful. If they nix those next time out and just focus on making catchy, somewhat sophisticated pop / prog metal, they'll be a lot better off..
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[Adam.L]

[Harry Muffin]

I've been listening to this album non-stop for the last week. I must say, being the proud owner of over 8000 heavy metal CDs, that this is one of the best things I've heard recently. Don't know what it is about it, but it caught me and I fell in love with this album. Great melodies, aggression, and skill. To those weenies who complain about the clean parts, you're stupid. They're well done in this case, and not everything has to sound like the cookie monster got his nuts caught in a meatgrinder to sound good. I like the clean passages to go along with the metalcore screaming. Shows the singer has skill, rather than compensating for a lack of talent by growling, which so many bands resort to. I think the band is self-explanatory. Phenomenal. I hope these guys have a ton of success. I'll certainly be in line for the next album. I don't get where you get the progressive tag from, though. I don't hear anything prog in their music, other than maybe the presence of keyboards.

[Bob.D]

While I commend you for liking this CD, I must give you a "oh no you don't" at the metalcore tag. The only thing you could say 'metalcore' about is the scream/sing thing.

Show me one breakdown on here.
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[Harry Muffin]