NO SIGN OF LIFE – Embrace Your Demons
- Posted on 20-11-2012
Currently a three piece (the band is seeking out suitable replacements as both guitarists left the band during the recording of this album), Finland’s No Sign Of Life sign on with Mighty Music for the release of this second album "Embrace Your Demons". Usually when I read in background information sheets the words ‘abnormally blend of genres’, a yellow caution signal goes off in my brain- because in everybody’s struggle to create their own sound, sometimes this intertwining of heavy sub-genres can create a collision course of cacophony.
Where do the 10 songs on "Embrace Your Demons" fall on this sliding scale? Well… within the first two minutes of opener "Ghost" you’ll encounter jangly alternative guitar with a progressive feel, a rhythm section built for modern power groove and two vocalists who juxtapose clean and growling motives- before the second half of the 5:16 track take an easy listening meets Faith No More sound. Deftones-like echo buildups merge into a fairly straightforward modern metal effort with "Nothing to Say"- Antti’s vocals hardcore in nature and forceful through the speakers. I do enjoy the slight off time rhythms that mutate into thrash insanity for "SymPathetic" – but then there are slight hints of American modern rock breakdown chugging that makes my interest wane.
Metal is at the center of No Sign Of Life- but I am bewildered at their need to combine 4-6 different aspects of the scene song to song. The title cut with its haunting acoustic guitar framework and off kilter clean melodies and Pain of Salvation meets melodic death-like "The Wounds of Nature" are areas I think the band should build the next album around. For now, "Embrace Your Demons" needs to be approached cautiously- I think many may find this special, but others will grow weary of its diverse, eclectic stance.