They call themselves New York City's heavy melodic groove merchants. While this might be true for the first 3:14 minutes of the album called "Walk Of Shame" the band displays a dynamic blending of metal with an almost funky backdrop that warrants their chosen title of groove merchants. The effect is definitely more appealing than it sounds. The cool thing about these guys though, is they do not try to overdo this approach. From there they take you on an excursion through a multi genre gallop that has one common feature, metal!
At times they seem to be throwing everything at you but the kitchen sink. Sometimes adopting a punkish attitude such as on the frantic "Wasteland Temptress" and at other times taking a much more melodic stance such as with the tune "Hypoxyphilia". They even get a bit grungy with the down and dirty sound of "The Bane Of Joe Smolinsky". SOS shows a very diversified plan of attack and pull it off with a disc that manages to stay heavy while at the same time changing the ebb and flow of the music with a unique style that keeps things interesting throughout the disc.
I was drawn to the way they could create a harshness to their music on such works as "Half Mast" and "The Thing Is…" but also reserve the right to take you down a more melodic path when they choose to.
This being their fifth release, the growth in the band is very evident. While I had never heard of them before this, listening to their other offerings show that this is a band that has learned from its past and are finally finding themselves. It may not be the album of the year, but there is certainly enough very good material on here to make it a very worthwhile purchase.
Track listing:
1. Walk Of Shame
2. Fear & Ferocity
3. Do You Want To Go Bowling…?
4. Daddy Like
5. Wasteland Temptress
6. Hypoxyphilia
7. Frames
8. The Bane Of Joe Smolinsky
9. Half Mast
10. The Thing Is…
11. Life Of Love And Peace And Harmony
12. Separation To Survive
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