By: Deek

Posted: Jul 23, 2005

Chaos is the game Crowpath plays, and "Red On Chrome" is their second round, 30 minutes of it. Their style can be related to math-core bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge, yet it has the feel of the more-chaos-less-tech route that tech-death band Origin have taken. Many know that although I'm fairly new to the style I love most that I have heard from it, and I also love the above three bands mentioned. But, not all math-core like this is great. I hate to say it, but although I did like this album initially, it became a hit-or-miss affair after a few listens.

'Hellbound' opens the album and immediately is the whole "chaos style" come into play. But it isn't until 'The Suburban Plague' plays that it really catches the ear of the listener. The symbol hits are what caught my attention when it was diverted to something else on my laptop. And the pummeling ending is great. The title track, the slowest paced song, has an intro that is a bit overwhelming, especially since it sounds odd, like the distortion is screwing with the bass. Or something. Either way, it sounded choppy coming out of my speakers and sub on my computer. Actually not a bad song, but not the best either. The next song to really catch my attention was 'Kings Among Cockroaches', with an intro almost straight out of the Dillinger Escape Plan stables. The song is varied overall, with a slower pace for the last 40 seconds and varied riffs throughout. Easily the highlight of the album. 'The Precise Art Of Knives' and 'Phrases' are the last ear catchers on here, with 'Phrases' having varied tempos and riffs. Also a highlight. 'Clean', the longest song on here, is just a closer interlude. Nothing to rave about at all.

In the end, as mentioned initially, this is a hit-or-miss release. Unfortunately I haven't heard their debut to compare, so that left me blind to the band when I first heard this album. But, after hearing this one, I'll proceed all past and future material with caution. Definitely not an album for everyone, but diehards of the mathcore thing will love it.

Rating: 5/10

Print