40 Below Summer hit hard with viciously aggressive conviction and tried and true elements on this release. The band extracts bits and pieces of acts such as (hed)p.e., Coal Chamber and Stuck Mojo to name a few, and molds them into a template of sonic wrath constructing a nu metal monolith of sound upon the already sturdy foundations. Rhythmic rap vocals combine with raging screams and treacherous guitarwork that spreads like wildfire over rattling percussion and steamrollering basslines. Vocals could best be described as an even ground between Dez of Coal Chamber and M.C.U.D. from (hed)p.e., they hit the ground running, welding together explosive fast paced raps that burst into staccato screams and howls impacting with the destructive force of a carbomb. Nasal tones underscore the music, but avoid becoming annoying with their emphasis on melody and variation plus the vocalist's confident ability. Not limited to one pitch or style there's a lot of boundaries broken and the music is greatly enhanced whether the vocals are shot out in swift verbal combos, guttural growls or even a surprisingly calming melodic crooning. Guitars feature an overdriven whiny riff style that sounds right at home within the somewhat hip hop based structure of the songs. The riffs won't necessarily pummel with intensity, but will definitely tear at the listeners psyche as they claw with fists of fury that would make Bruce Lee proud. Some Interesting tones and effects are used fabricating a generally tightly threaded jacket of sound that is worn with pride. Bass plays a substantial part in the music and grumbles out lowend basslines that are hooky and heavy enough to leave an imprint in the listeners ear canals. Not excessively downtuned, they still retain a warm feel and strut out dark brooding rap styled grooves. Drums are chaotic, rushing in with waves of thundering rolls and booming hits that dissipate into invigorating snare kick drum combustion, some more tribal aspects of percussion are employed, but not utilized to an extent that really justifies an in-depth explanation of their usage. A startling inclusion in this bands music is the incorporation of keyboards, there's some heavy 808 styled bass hits and some G-Funk inspired drawn out keyboard parts that can remind of a style perfected by Tribal Disco Noise. This inclusion really gives an unexpected element and edge to the songs and fills out the sound sculpting an authentic hip hop/rapcore feel, but doesn't show up in every song giving the music all the more edge. Without a doubt this group has talent, the tracks contained on this album are furious and energetic with pained emotion and an honest feel. There's a thorough feel to the structure and compositions and a generally complete sound that isn't overcrowded and is definitively experimental and unbound. Still there's a very familiar feel to the bands music at times, mainly in the vocal stylings and this can downplay the originality. It's by no means a copycat flow but definitely suggests heavy influence and emulation and detracts from what could have been a more fresher feel. On the other hand there is a lot of depth and maturity in this release and from the beginning to the end it has a very polished feel. 40 Below Summer take the heat of the world and the stress on their shoulders and blast it out with a chilling auditory hurricane of torment sure to stop any listener in their tracks like a deer in headlights, leaving them to pick up the pieces as the CD spins to a halt.
(4.5 / 5)