S!CK FRoWN have evolved a bit since their previous release, now showing off a more chaotic style that strays from the basic set idea of what music is envisioned to be. Irate screams, odd vocal patterns and inflections, scratchy guitars, booming bass and clicking drums are what the band serves up on this release. The bulk of the tracks included is new material and it's still hard to try and draw a direct comparison with the group and any other. Vocals are somewhat disorderly, there are moments of clarity where singer MCD9 does come through with slight rap tinged vocals tormented verse or well placed scream, but for the most part he unleashes relentless attack of wails and repetition. Truly disturbed and sick sounding as he vents his feelings its hard not to become lost sometimes within what he belts out, but its just as easy to be alienated by it on the other hand as it can be almost too overpowering. Guitars are wanton in the sense they do what they want, when they want with a vicious intensity. There's no holding back or taming down of what they want to accomplish and this in turn sets the scene for some interesting guitar work, whether it be balls out distorted chunk riffs, punk inspired scale progressions, effect doused squeals or self indulgent strumming and picking, the lack of restraint allows the bands two guitarists to slice out their innovative pure ideas. Bass exhibits a tuned down tone played with large roomy riffs that are well rounded and almost stretch out at the listener through the speakers. A few slap and pops and some percussive playing rears its head but for the most part, it's a trudging large bass riff sound that vibrates the subwoofers and becomes perhaps the most steady of this bands musical elements. Drums are consistent, with a medium tuning, and a solid, in depth sound, but they are rarely given an opportunity to shine as they have to constantly shift in order to keep up with the bands hectic song parts. Solid in technique they pound out a steady backbeat giving the music a graceful punch. The group tries to retain an individual sound and exceeds at it, there's some catchy parts that really hook deep within the listeners ears, but the music is still dragged down by a few things. First off would be the groups lack of overall song structure, there's no direct chorus/verse ideals, there's a very edgy and raw sound, but its very scattered and sloppy utilizing little motion or focus, although it is interesting and does plow through various elements and styles, it is altogether too schizophrenic in nature to bring forth a true feeling of substance or immense enjoyment. The lack of basic song progression or even a direction does indeed hurt the overall album content, it just seems to happen all to often that a melodic or visceral heavy part is cut off after only a few seconds play, only to never be heard again, which in turn greatly detracts from any thorough emotional release. Whether it be too much ambition, ideas or just the urge to fit in various elements the music can sometimes take on a melting pot philosophy that leaves everything too mixed up to discern a certain flavor. Another knock against the release could be the vocals, the raps advance forward and switch accordingly as they flush into screams or emotional howls, but the excessive use of screams at times can become tedious and too relentless to warrant a real release for the listener as it can begin to take on a feeling that the screaming is there just to scream, rather than having a purpose. That said the band does incorporate some interesting tones and auditory textures into their material, there's a plethora of good ideas that are innovative and fresh, yet sadly not directly capitalized on. Indeed talent lurks in S!CK FRoWN's music, but its gonna take a dose of proverbial cough medicine to give them to have the concentration or motivation to shape their impressive array of ideas and onslaught of intoxicating energy into something focused enough to critically infect those who listen.
(3.5 / 5)