Reviews

Every once and a while an album comes along that manages to bring an amazing combination of thrilling hardcore and intense songwriting without getting lost in the idea of trying to be beyond epic. This album by The Great Deceiver does just that. It is packed full of songs that aren't overproduced noise, not recycled and reused melodies and screams that could be replaced by any other similar band these days. These songs stick out and stay fresh from the start of the album to the end. A brilliant mix of metal, hardcore and punk that isn't seen as often as some would like to see it.

The album kicks off with "Home To Oblivion" which, at the beginning, feels like a complete punk song. The fast drums, the screeching notes of the guitars, it settles in as punk from the get go, but quickly intensifies into a brutal musical attack that really kicks your ass. The thing about this album that I really enjoyed is that it started so hard and so fast and then never backed down, yet it doesn't sound the same in that each song is well defined but still sticks with the aggressive theme of the album. Other tracks that stand out are "Running With Scissors" and "A Myth Retired," but really, all the tracks are standouts in my opinion. From start to finish the album makes you feel jacked up, and that's how a good album should be.

Now, with all this praise, why only four stars? For one simple reason; it feels a little flat at times. It doesn't tread into the waters of overproduction, but it does have moments where it almost feels under produced. It has parts in which you want more fullness with a stronger backing guitar, but you are left with what almost has the sound and feel of a not quite complete demo. However, this isn't that big of a deal and if you can put that aside, this is a great album. Great for fans of really anything hardcore/metal or even punk.