Headway have achieved the lofty task of creating some of the most thoughtfully inspiring music ever imagined on this, their debut full length album. Thought provoking lyrics, powerful melodies, intense vocal range and calmed melodies that stem from both temper and despair are qualities this album contains, along with a booster shot of jagged angst. Innovative and chaste song structures lay down the groundwork for soul piercing vocals that effortlessly puncture the listeners psyche with genuine passion. Indeed vocals are nothing short of amazing with beautiful lamentable wails that captivate the listener with fierce intensity while overpowering them with lush dense emotion. The vibe is so authentic and pure, it's hard for the listener to not drop their jaw in awe of vocalist Derek's as he runs the gauntlet of verbal conscience cleansing and tonal range. Very moving and soothing, the strong armed screams fade back and forth to murmur like reassurances and vice versa, easily making them some of the most heartfelt vocals ever captured on CD. Guitars are fairly sonic in tone and drafted with attention focused on the basis of the whole song rather than being a single part alone. From dissonant effect tinged noise to scraping riff driven claw like swings they compliment the music well and have enough deviation from the basic standards of guitar play to sound raw, yet organic. Bass is fairly straight forward working tightly with the drums and guitar to form a collective glue in between the percussion and high end. Lively straight forward plodding chord progressions encompass the playing for the most part adding the extra punch to vocalist Derek's veritable vocal stairwell of emotion. Solid and comfortable sounding, the lack of excessive downtuning low end wise ends up making the music inherently unspoiled and fresh. Drums are a tuned to a slightly high pitch, a steady battering of the snare accentuated with splashing cymbal hits and consistent highhat work is served up as the main course, while the odd tom roll and varying groove is used to keep things flowing. As a finished product this CD brightly demonstrates the unbridled talent this band possesses. The vocals are touching, expressive with zeal and feeling, guitars are experimental yet rigid with effect doused placid melodies or violent assaults that keep a keen eye on staying true to song structure, while the drums and bass re-enforce and provide a surface that is easily built upon. A possible downside could be the bands tendencies to almost unload in each song with a multitude of emotions that can sometimes become a bit disorienting as the tracks begin to become an unrelenting ride of anger and sadness, constantly twisting and turning with reckless abandon. Perhaps a bit more restraint could help balance the songs a bit more and benefit the group as a whole. Still Headway have released one of the most emotionally intoxicatingly CD's of the year, starkly devoid of any of the typical me too bullshit found within the heavy genre, it's innocent aggression and vulnerable yet viciously aggravated feel can puncture the listeners soul while instantaneously nursing it back to health, definitely one to add to the collection.
(5 / 5)