The Systematic Erosion of Integrity by Solace and Stable is a perfect example of what is wrong with metalcore these days. OK, so the band label themselves as a 'progressive metal group', and yes, you can hear some influences of Between the Buried and Me and a few other acts that stray into progressive waters, but so much of The Systematic Erosion of Integrity is simply run of the mill metalcore. From the vocals, to the breakdowns, to the lead work, to the pounding drums, it's all pedestrian and lacking in anything that's going to help this band stand out from the thousands of other acts out there doing the exact same thing. They certainly have some talent, as "American Beauty" and "Alive in Brokenness" can attest, both featuring some impressive riffery and blazing lead work, but the vocal bellows & screams are so one dimensional and the arrangements just seem to be missing that 'it' factor necessary to make one sit up and take notice. Most of the tunes sound too much alike (when "Satisfiction" came on I thought I was hearing one of the earlier tunes repeated) and all seem to follow a similar pattern, making for a frustrating listening experience.
That being said, Solace and Stable seem like they have enough talent where hopefully they can turn things around and begin to grow musically and compositionally, enough so that future releases will give us something to really talk about.
Track Listing
1. The Systematic Erosion of Integrity 4:12
2. American Beauty 3:53
3. Alive in Brokenness 3:15
4. Transcending Obstructions 2:57
5. Culture of Corruption 3:25
6. Satisfiction 3:52
7. The Apparatus 4:37
8. Volatile 3:00
9. The Hollow Present 3:57
10. Design and Deceit 3:28
11. Past of Persistence 3:08
12. Solstice 4:39
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