Better Left Unsaid's debut recording The Silencing is firmly footed in the metalcore realm and the band dishes out a familiar collection of 7 songs on a self-financed/independent release. The production values of the recording are commendable and the performance of the band is certainly competent. It could be said that many of the jewels in this genre have been mined already and that idea alone has left the band a little behind the ball, but what is apparent is that the band worked hard to give its audience a "straight-up" solid effort. At times it seems as though there is a lack of direction in the arrangements; mostly between the pure "metal" and the "core" attributes. However, this is a young band trying to find themselves and experimenting with a few influences is a common way to go about it. On the songs "Under My Skin" & "Purity" you can hear straight-away that the primary rhythm guitar parts are very similar to something Lamb of God would do. Also, in the song "Sweets" singer Steve Hickman experiments with a death growl that will kind of catch you off guard. These two songs-- as you probably have guessed—are where the more "metal" influence is shining through. Whereas the CD opener "Never Again" shows off their more melodic "core" influence with its harmonious guitar melody and "radio ready" clean vocal breakdown.
For fans of this style, you have nothing to loose if you were to seek this out. The variety of influences serve to make The Silencing a little more of an interesting listen.
Track listing
1. Never Again
2. Repletion
3. Under My Skin
4. Testify
5. Sweets
6. Impurity
7. Cold Inside
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