Nonpoint have undergone a lot since the release of their last album "Development". First and foremost their record label MCA was dissolved and merged into the Geffen Records roster. Next, the bands livelihood was hung in the balance until Geffen finally made the decision to pass on the band, thus requiring a new home to be found. It wasn't too long before the group landed themselves a new deal with Lava Records though and "Recoil" was subsequently born.

Understandably a lot of the material on "Recoil" was written during a very trying time for the band. That sense of struggle and uncertainty resonates throughout the album as a result. While their last outing "Development" felt more like a toned down, almost label-guided affair. "Recoil" instead reanimates some of the anger and aggression which the band relished in on "Statement", their major label debut. In turn, scathing doses of soulful singing compliment raw-edged grooves that are led by thunderously hard-hit drums and crunchy modern riffs. This tenacity and more intense approach clearly draws distinct parallels to the groups previous work, as does the punchy Latin-flavored "Rabia". In fact, there's even a cover of Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" that comes complete with extra ethnic percussive touches, dredging up memories of the groups earlier take on Santana's "Evil Ways".

"Development" may have proved that the band were competent at writing traditionally structured songs and comfortable when expressing themselves melodically. But it also lacked much of the passion that helped establish them in the first place. "Recoil" instead feels like a concentrated attempt at remedying this while also adding some of the latter efforts commercially-oriented nature. Ultimately, while this does make for an appealing listen, it causes the album to feel like regressed refinement more than anything else. This turn for the groups heavier days is unfortunately not aided by the albums rather loose production however. While it is by no means unlistenable, a tighter and deeper mix would have made for a more enticing affair as the now-stilted rhythm section has always been a strongpoint of the band. In a genre that is increasingly becoming more extreme, heavy bands like Nonpoint are quickly becoming few and far between. With "Recoil" they proudly show that they aren't about to tailor themselves to any trends yet; and while the weaponry they are using may now sound a tad dated by today's standards, it still makes one hell of a racket all the same.