15Reasons: The Art Of Commitment

The Belgian three piece heavy rock/metal band 15Reasons was completely new to me, that is until Graviton Music Services so graciously sent me this album for review. The Art Of Commitment was released in 2014 and has taken me a while to get to but I am glad I did as this is a solid slice of alternative rock and metal in the vein of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden with vocals bearing a strong resemblance to the lead singer from Stone Sour.

The players are Nicholas Brynin (bass, vocals), Valery Granson (guitars) and Fred Werner (drums). The Art Of Commitment is their third release.

The music is very much guitar based and pretty heavy at times, often venturing into metal territory. To keep things interesting the songs often vary from heavy to softer more atmospheric parts. The vocals are strong throughout as Brynin has a powerful voice and has a knack for catchy vocal melodies. The band uses samples to good effect throughout the disc with no better example than the intro to the album's first track "Damage Done". Voice samples and wailing sirens lead to a wall of heavily distorted guitar and Brynin's gruff sounding voice that gets quite melodic during the chorus. The bass is also highlighted, especially in "Humans Are Pollution", a hard hitting song about the over consumption and humanities detrimental treatment of the planet. In "Mirror/Mirror" the effects add a more experimental flavour before the barrage of heavy riffage unfolds into an extremely catchy chorus. "Darkest Days Of Our Lives" is a shorter track, quite unsettling and moody with a barrage of background noise and cool sounding effects.

My favourite tune is the almost ten minute instrumental title track where Granson's guitar is a highlight throughout displaying a multifaceted approach with chugging riffs, clean solos, moody chord structures and some ultra-fast shredding.

15Reasons came as an unexpected surprise as The Art Of Commitment is an enjoyable listen and at almost seventy minutes there is much to sink your teeth into. Metal fans should certainly take notice.

Track Listing:
1. Damage Done
2. N.B.M.A.
3. Humans Are Pollution
4. Around Me
5. The End Of Everything
6. Darkest Days Of Our Lives
7. Mirror/Mirror
8. Alyson Wonderland
9. Broken Zero
10. Worm Inside
11. The Art Of Commitment
12. Damage Done (Radio Edit)
13. The End Of Everything (Radio Edit)
14. I Am Not The Enemy (Damage Done EBM Remix)

Added: September 4th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2270
Language: english

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