SEV continually evolve with each release and this demo documents their progression vividly. Included on this release is some brand new material as well as some previously released material reworked a bit into the new style the group is heading in. The music still sounds like SEV, just a bit more serious and refined than their previous efforts. Still present on this demo are some of the brilliant melodies that have gained the band their ever-growing audience, but it comes fused with a darker sound that deviates far from the previous work. At times the tracks can sound almost like pissed off rapcore, something which isn't usual of the band, yet in the end works out well. Although the demo represents a departure from the past it also still manages to keep step with the basic elements that make SEV who they are. In some aspects the music is comparable to a more aggressive 311, yet the dynamic music instead plays on more organic fundamentals instead of a spacey dub sound. Vocals are bumped up a few notches more than the bands previous efforts, gone for the most part are the playful sounding flows and almost party record vibe that dominated their previous albums and in their place is a sound that's a bit more down tempo and angry, not so much a pissed off at the world tone but more that the band has solidified together and are now completely serious about the music and the direction they're heading in. From turbulent growls to reaffirming cry's for help, Danny and Phil, the groups two vocalists pass the vocal duties back and forth between each other like a hot potato, meshing together smoothly and coating the music with thick harmony and semi automatic raps that blend extremely well with the music. Some effects are also used vocally and end up heightening the well placed drawn out cry's and screams whether it be fading them out, using a delay or even at times inflecting them with tremelo like sounds making the music alot more climatic. Still though the clever production put to use allows it to have a more earthly undercurrent rather than sound outlandish. Guitars are very much static in nature throughout the course of the tracks, focusing more on a repeating riff that will switch abruptly into a more distorted counterpart that interlocks with the previous pattern rather than the exhausting use of one sound throughout a song. Good usage of pauses, breaks and changing chord progressions are in place, not too mention the ever interesting, almost flamenco sounding influence that some of the guitar picking takes form with. Bass comes with a dense flavor, not overly downtuned but low enough to keep it an octave deeper than the high end aspect of the music. Percussive slaps are implemented as well as pauses and plodding, mildly ska like verse riffs, that for the most part mimic the guitar at a slower pace yet creatively link with the percussion. Drums are tuned a bit higher than most groups, as they come snapping with a very resilient snare sound that compliments the solid beats and more ambient approach taken which in turn consistently moves the songs forward like clockwork. The standout track on this demo would have to be the startlingly heavy track "Front Of The Line" which throughout some of its more emotional moments can bring to mind shades of groups like Spineshank but without all the industrial and electronic dissonance. The groups clever songcraft is still one of their strong points and one they lay down carefully, yet with tracks like "Front Of The Line" showing such promise with its grim passion and the other tracks bordering more on melodic upbeat sensibilities it leaves a stark contrast as to where exactly the group is headed. The music is composed well, yet past one or two tracks does at times feel a bit derivative and somewhat contains that been there, done that feeling and one can hope they definitely pursue the fresh ideas that pop up from time to time throughout this release further. The band has definitely chiseled away the fluff exposing a more raw core that in ways feels heavier yet still keeps the listeners head bobbing, but it's too hard to clearly grasp from this release what exactly they are scheming on throwing together next. Without question though, the material featured on this demo is without question a step in the right direction and a shot into the groups arm that can only serve to make SEV's future even more bright.
(4 / 5)