Crawlblind - 27. Visions Of Perfection!

Some will say they've progressed, others will say they have changed direction for better or worse. Whilst this record is far removed from its predecessor, the band have still come up with the goods with a more layered and less bland approach than "That's The Way To Do It". On the last outing heaviness took precedence over melody, yet this time around melody rules supreme.

First track "Dragged Away" shocked me in that it displays the full extent to which the band have embraced melody. Soft spoken verses and music that softly carries and surrounds you isn't what you would expect from a band that were compared to Sepultura when reviewing the first record. Despite this turn around in events I fully welcome the change as the band now cater for more than just one emotion. The hard edge is still there with equal intensity, only this time its counter balanced with more emotional sounding music and vocals - helping to emphasize the heavier parts, making for a more potent force and impression on the listener. The dynamics are in full effect with soft pulses and U2, Bono like vocals ("Dead Calm") one moment, heavy riffs and harsh paint stripping vocals the next. Not many bands can boast that kind of dynamic and by no means is it done for the sake of it.

Songs like "Shiver" and "In Too Deep" represent mature songwriting ability whilst "Roulette" and "Break It Down" show that the band can equal anything from the first record minus all the fat. On this effort its obvious that the band haven't tried to stick to any mould and in doing so have let loose many new ideas. The band are no longer testosterone driven but now churn out the kind of rock that lasts the test of time. Truly an asset to the British scene. The band always hinted at being able to do so much more and now we have the carbon copy proof. Now take it home.
(5 / 5)