Nonpoint's major label debut has been a longtime coming and brings with it material from their previous independent release as well as a handful of new tracks for the masses. The band have definitely evolved out of their rapcore roots and are now firmly entrenched in a modern metal stance, but they are by no means your run of the mill heavy band. The energy contained in the CD is amazing, there's many atmospheric touches put into place and overall the songs just relentlessly push forward, forcing the listener to get the hell off of their ass or be subjected to an auditory pummeling.

Vocally, the album is filled with band frontman Elias's mildly raspy, yet silky smooth voice which can croon out touching verses just as easily as it can fire off restrained vitriolic screams that give a mature touch to the music. More focused on melody as opposed to balls out screaming, the superb balance between edgy, aggressive screams and soft hearted croons paint a immensely enjoyable verbal experience. Guitars are surprisingly traditional and although there is a slight downtuning in place, the playing style is filled with punchy riffs that vehemently drive the songs forward with a crisp, chunky distortion. Some effects are used occasionally and give a colorful break from the straight forward riffs that populate the songs, but are sparse enough to only provide as a breather before tossing the listener right back into the fire. Bass is the most downtuned element of the material and its thick, rumbling riffs team up with the guitar to form a tight sonic alliance that is about as close to auditory concrete as you can get. Some experimental basslines are laid down now and then and there is also the occasional slap and pop to add a little extra flavor, but through it all the lowend never sounds sloppy and this is one of the main factors in what makes the bands music so undeniably catchy. Drums are played with confidence and embrace a medium tuning that feels warm and incorporates various thundering rolls and off timed playing to shift the music through various gears. There's a few subtle styles detectable within drummer Robb's technique and although there's no entirely blatant genre incorporated, you can definitely sense his roots in Latin percussion.

Overall this album is a breath of fresh air for the new metal community. A heavy band that is rock solid and able to shift back and forth through various tempos and emotions without ever missing a beat is a rare thing, and to bring a style that doesn't feel directly influenced by the contemporaries of the current heavy metal scene is also a plus for the band and makes their intense brand of music all the more welcome. Still though, whether it be the restrained nature which is utilized throughout the songs or the constant in your face tempo, this CD does lack a bit of range and doesn't entirely touch on the extremes of both emotions. That said though, this is still an excellent debut and will no doubt bring a lot of attention to their native Florida scene from people looking for bands that possess a sound similar to the one captured on this disc. Nonpoint's statement is one that deserves to be heard by any fan of the new breed of metal bands out there today, in fact with all the copycat bands trying to break it big by riding on the coattails of others, we can only hope that more bands will take note of this album and try finding their own sound before unleashing it on the world.
(4 / 5)