First off I should state that this CD isn't available to the public and is a demo for the true purpose of a demo, now that we got that out of the way, Liquid Gang continually keep impressing me, they continue to break the mold used to craft so many cookie cutter acts flooding the genre. Two singers, a DJ and a deft rhythm unit highlight this band, and what a band it is. This time around the bands style is completely refined, in fact almost overhauled. The two vocalists Chris and Jose trade off screams, raps and melody drenched crooning that wrap around each others parts like a braid. The way they've tightened and grown into each other is amazing and is definitely one of the many highlights of this band. The lyrical content also seems to have been taken up a notch to deal with more negative issues and at times can be even somewhat political minded but not to the point of preachy. Also highlighted on this release the DJ, DJ Duckin De' is given alot of free reign, never flooding the music, he tends to keep it free and clean. But as most DJ's in the scene don't give themselves a shot at being heard, his turntables are distinguished and given ample breathing room, giving it a definite hip-hop/spacey vibe instead of being cloaked behind muddy distorted guitars. The band brings a small serving of effects to the plate and keeps with the many facets of styles that separate them. The dual vocal moans at times can be similar to perhaps Alice In Chains but with them firmly planted into a field of aggressive rapcore the groups really don't bear much in common. I can't really compare the bands style and sound to another bands out there and that is something that is very hard to be able to accomplish in this day and age. The band has definitely shed its once pop roots and brought a much more heavier, aggressive sound out with them this time around and the CD delivers it in spades. It seems leaps and bounds above their debut "Nineteenth Soul" in terms of musicianmanship and band cohesiveness plus the more darker angrier direction the band has taken has increased the enjoyment of listening to their music exponentially and is something that makes me look forward to more from them. Songs like "Diagram" and "Solstice" can rip into you and comfort you in the same minute and are shining examples of the bands new direction. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this CD, the songs are good, a few are great and 1 could use work, with the band continually evolving and refining their craft I can't see this as being a stand out problem, just more of a nit-picking. The 99 Demo is an impressive foreshadowing of what's to come from this band, and if they keep on the same track they're on right now it should be nothing short of astounding.
(4 / 5)