Significant is the first word used to describe this band in their bio and if ever there was a more criminal misusage of a word, one would be hard pressed to find it, as the last thing this Los Angeles, CA area based band are is significant. A substandard run of the mill rap-metal band, Grade 8 sound heavily dated and uninspired on this, their Lava/Atlantic debut.
While their bio further goes on to list influences like Life Of Agony, Sick Of It All, Slayer and Rage Against The Machine among others, the genius of the aforementioned acts is not present here. Instead, what is present on this album is your average nu-metal posturing, growly low end and bland chunky guitars led by gruff vocals that arbitrarily switch from menacing screams and lackluster raps.
In a day and age where the industry is taking less and less chances it is hard to fathom how this band got signed. Sure their chops are strong enough and the songs are o.k. for what they are; But in the long run so many other bands have came and subsequently went while trying their hand at this exact same style and there's little doubt history will likely repeat itself once again. It seems that sometimes people just don't pay attention in school and don't bother learning from the lessons of others experiences and as such, in Grade 8's case, you wonder if they'd be better off just dropping out.
(1 / 5)
wookubus