Into The Storm - Admidst A Sea Of Chaos

Into The Storm have the unfortunate pleasure as being known as a Post-Metal / Mathcore band which really puts people off. Lets face it, the style has been kicking a dead horse for years but bands like this are breathing new life into that horse and while Post-Metal might be a handy tag to put on them, they are offering up more than the usual outfit in this genre and they actually sound fresh. They are from Seattle and this album is in the fine tradition of DIY but they have done a fine job of delivering a great high quality sounding CD. The main thing they have going for them is they at least inject a little intensity into the mix and avoid for the most part, the by the numbers approach that so many other bands clumsily fall into. They have a fine balanced sound that while its produced extremely well, its not overdone in any one area. Check out the drum work and sound of drummer James Reeves which threatens to fall apart at any moment but manages to hold it all together within the chaos of some unchained Hardcore sound attacks. Trying to come up with bands they may be influenced creates a interesting problem, there is many sounds that come to mind. "Fugazi", "Neurosis" and "Cursed" are the more obvious bands but they also have their own identity. "Between Disaster and Tragedy" breaks the mold with some ambient chords and subtle melody lines before launching itself into the deep-end with sheer noise, its these sort of tracks where the band shows its strength. "Tearing Apart Space and Time" features the killer drum sound I mentioned earlier and some vicious bass grooves. The hilariously titled "I’m not your Buddy Guy" is a chaotic, frenzied grinding barrage of a tune, don't go looking for big melodies on this one. My pick for best tune though would have to be "Gnaw on their Skulls" even though its one short tune, there is so much hook in the song that its works. Elsewhere there is a couple of tunes that left me cold, "Well Hung Pterodactyl" being one of them. Another great titled song but the track comes and goes with no long lasting impact. "Sleeping through Thunder" and the epic closer “Excalibur III” which somehow reminds of some kind of European Goth/Doom band,(maybe its just melodic guitar style) are another two of the album’s highlights. The latter track, with its kicking, metallic drive keeping things rolling and once again the bass grooves are on show along with the guitar melodies. To sum this one up which is limited to 250 copies (in fact each disc is hand numbered), this is a enjoyable album that is also a grower. It took me a few listens before it really grabbed my attention but once it did, I dig the hardcore sonic attacks and the melodic post/indie style that seem to be taking somewhere else. Like I said at the beginning of the review, one look at tags like Post Metal or Indie Rock can send people running for the hills these days but this band is actually different. They have a fresh approach to the songwriting which makes this warrant repeated spins as they can dish out some frantic shorter in your face numbers but can also tackle longer tunes with ease and with some variety in the playing. This band was not really my cup of tea at first but they got me sucked in after a while, I think if you gave them a listen it will happen to you. 8/10

www.myspace.com/intothestorm