If anything 36 Crazyfists have determination. Being a band whose humble beginnings started in a state as isolated from the industry as Alaska (and Oregon), the group have already persevered over considerable adversity, a quality which is truly a testament to their character. Unfortunately for them though their Roadrunner debut "Bitterness The Star" didn't quite set the world on fire like some had hoped, though it did help them to build up a loyal fan base. "Bitterness The Star" was a bit jagged at times however and occasionally didn't show the band in a proper light. Sounding much wiser and more confident now, the band have returned with their second offering for Roadrunner and look to have remedied many of the problems that previously hindered them.

A more organic and streamlined experience, "A Snow Capped Romance" sees the band cutting the fat and focusing on their strengths. Crunchy riffs eagerly gnash at the feet of vocalist Brock Lindow, whose sharply emotive delivery steals the spotlight. As such the weighty rhythm section is left to provide the rigid undercarriage necessary to keep the musical momentum in check. Dynamically driven, the band often explode into aggressively screamed outbursts which are tailored more towards melodic modern metal ala the Deftones than they are the now standard hardcore/metalcore routine. Ironically this factor sets them apart from most of their current peers in today's musical climate and they implement it well, if not almost predictably.

Structurally the groups songs are now more cohesive and gripping with a surprisingly fast pace put into play to make them all the more engaging. In fact, nearly every song featured here clocks in at under 4 minutes, firmly keeping the band from dragging on or outwearing their welcome. However, while this is a boon for the overall progression of the album, it can also tend to establish somewhat of a faceless air as the songs quickly blend into each other, leaving the album to end a lot sooner than one would expect. Furthermore, there really isn't that much experimentation present. Sure the band have thrown in a few new elements and have refined their sound considerably, but for the most part nothing outrageously different from their last outing shows up here. These issues aside, "A Snow Capped Romance" is still an invigorating listen as the band continue to exert themselves with remarkable composure and honesty. It's just that it would be a bit more interesting to see them shed a few of the layers they've insulated themselves with and fully brave the elements rather than comfortably barrel through them.