At one time, Arizing looked to be an effort in futility. The group had just completed their debut album "Womb" for Medea Records when they found themselves parting ways with frontman Jason Revoir. Eventually LeFT vocalist Matt Dalton entered the picture and hit the studio to lay down his own voice to finish the effort. Now the band have returned with "Advance", their first offering of completely original material since Dalton's addition, introducing a more realized sound that has practically abandoned their former nu-metal aggression.

Melody seems to be the most prominent component in Arizing's evolution, as "Advance" focuses much more intently on the prog rock and emo influences that were only hinted at on "Womb". The songs found within are saturated with harmonic hooks, as Dalton has matured greatly as a melodic singer since his time with LeFT; Yet his quirky delivery still bears a fragile Stephen Richards resemblance (a problematic element that seems to plague many Michigan based acts). This stylistic comparison works against the band on "Pinky Swear", a song that could have easily been taken from Taproot's "Welcome", were it not for it's indie rock sensibilities. The other members of the group have followed their new vocalists lead however, instilling their formerly guitar-driven sound with quirky flourishes that accentuate and elevate Dalton's nasal wails, and this reduction in aggressiveness has aided in making those brief moments all the more powerful in comparison. Distancing themselves from the overdone nu-metal styling prevalent on "Womb" allows the band to take chances that were previously impossible, most notably on the addition of 80's inspired keyboard tones and subtle programming on "The Big L (Falling In Love Again)". Here the group take the liberty to work with a minimalist design, using Dalton's increased emotional dexterity to carry the song, and John Pregler & Dennis Klein's wavering guitars enhance the dream-like atmosphere with alarming success.

Arizing have rapidly become one of the Detroit area's brightest young hard rock acts, quickly assuming the crown that Factory 81 once wore proudly. "Advance" documents the band's continued growth as musicians, and it is impressive to see the group bloom into such a melodically proficient hard rock ensemble. While it is apparent that they have been learning from such groups as U2 and The Cure, the band still show a much more adventurous understanding of how to write dynamic songs that focus on a wealth of emotions, and the juxtaposition of light and dark tones thickens their sound tenfold. This material is also much more accessible, insinuating it's infectious nature into one's memory with ease. One of the major issues with "Womb" was that although it instantly grasped the listener, the album slowly lost it's hold (spiraling into a variety of lackluster filler), and in that regard this less-is-more format works well for this outfit. Arizing have certainly made a cautious but effective step forward in elaborating on their musical identity, yet there still seems to be some innate reluctance to ascend to the next level. The intrepid experimentation and melodic aesthetic Arizing have established here are unavoidable, and once Dalton can find his own unique voice (something that he seems well on his way to doing) the band should be fully ready to 'advance' onward to even greater heights.