S!CK FRoWN combine an explosive array of elements in their music, listening closely you can detect elements of jazz, rap, hardcore, crossover and a dash of what seems to be an almost punk element, The band combines competent rapping with thunderously heavy growls. There's a bit of screaming and a remorseful softer side to the lyrics but for the most part jagged growling vocals with a style reminiscent of hardcore in the way that the vocals are syncopated with the guitar chords through most verses encompasses the release. Being that the sound of the vocals are authentically angry sounding, coupling them with a somewhat off key rap makes for a very interesting listen. It definitely adds on to the bands sound and gives them an edge above the usual suspects. Guitar wise there's some interesting elements at play, It can range from the dynamic interludes of Korn to the squeals more accustomed to Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, but make no mistake the band is not a rip off of either style. Drums and bass are consistently there keeping things mixing but never stray to much from the basics to make either instrument stand out. The most prevalent instrument throughout the material is usually the guitar, whether it be layered with effects with a spidery feel or providing the rhythm coated with distortion it seems to always stick out the most. Songs like Layaway best show what the band is about, combining a palette of heavier influenced musical elements into one big fireball of rage and running it into a swampy breakdown then grinding out of it with an angered push driven usually fueled by growling vocals. Song structures entail many parts but mesh well together never alienating or steering to far from a set foundation. One thing that sticks out on this CD is the raw feel the songs contain, not so much production wise or structural, but more of an overall tone in which the instruments bind together. The cons of the music and the CD that I see are that with Hey only be a 13 second long chant, it's too short to get a solid grip on what the band is really trying to achieve. Another minor complaint would be that the music really seems to rely upon the screaming, while the singing and rapping takes a smaller role, more use of either would definitely make the bands sound all the much stronger. S!CK FRoWN show much promise and don't try to win any favors or take shortcuts by riding on other bands coattails, something which only a handful of bands seem to have the balls to do these days, with a little refinement of their technique and flow the band could unquestionably be a standout among the current crop of up and comers.
(4 / 5)