Autonomy manage to pull off the seemingly impossible, creating a fresh sounding record in a genre that has been flogged to death. The words rap and metal nowadays are synonymous with music that is bland and unoriginal and although there's no denial of being inspired by American nu metal acts, this is one example that the forefathers of nu metal might not be so ashamed of having influenced.

Autonomy have something for everyone without sounding like they've made any compromises. Fast paced raps, vocally melodic choruses and paint stripping throaty growls that sound so much like Raging Speedhorn you suspect the said band may be moonlighting on this record. With such a broad base of styles it should come as no surprise that the band have two vocalists with Soup Carpenter singing like a lo-fi version of Linkin Park and Jay Spencer rapping so fast you wonder if he's attempting to enter the record books. At times Jay can sound a little too similar to Fred Durst which may be uncomfortable for some but easily counteracted by the fact this band have the balls to back up their songs with more than just a catchy riff.

With Dave Dominguez making this his debut production job, having already engineered for such bands as Papa Roach and Staind, this is as good a start as any. The sharp sounding guitars and blast beat sounding drums exudes energy with a sound that is crisp and clear on even the weakest of stereo systems. Ultimately though, Autonomy run the risk of being nu metal also rans. This may be as refined and competent as any of their contemporaries but its more an album that might keep a band at the top rather than help them get there.