Matthew Tsai
05/29/09, 11:26 PM
The Malheruex - Nightmares
Record Label: None
Release Date: Circa 2008
It's a pity The Malheruex landed a couple years too late. The band is all about those emo riffs and lush dual-vocals that drop Saosin and The Receiving End of Sirens as clues to the answer to its sound, but unfortunately, here in 2009, the music scene is beginning yet another tiring trek to find a successor trend to the post-hardcore costume it has rocked for the past decade. As a result, Nightmares just presents itself a tad bit overdone, though that's not to say treats can't still be picked out from the 4-track EP.
Opener "Nightmares" is a track to wrestle with in the mind, as its pleasant "I can't take this anymore" line is a sticky brain embedder. Though some of the lyrics seem like a difficult fit into the melody line in some occasions, the rocker will seize the attention of anybody who has had a remote interest in the scene recently. "Flip the Switch" and "Drowning In Numbers" follow a similar formula, fusing familiar instrument work with lead Chris Castillo's Cove Reber-saluting vocals. "Dust" manages to pack some screams into its sputtery rebellion that stubbornly resolves, "They'll never take us alive! / They can't take, they won't take, take us alive / We'll stand our ground and we won't budge."
Nevertheless, the redundancy of The Malheruex's sound is undeniable. One could only wish they manifested themselves earlier as they seem to boast equal potential as that of Saosin. Nightmares is still an enjoyable release, make no mistake about it - just don't over-emphasize its relevance.
Saosin, Circa Survive, The Receiving End of Sirens
Record Label: None
Release Date: Circa 2008
It's a pity The Malheruex landed a couple years too late. The band is all about those emo riffs and lush dual-vocals that drop Saosin and The Receiving End of Sirens as clues to the answer to its sound, but unfortunately, here in 2009, the music scene is beginning yet another tiring trek to find a successor trend to the post-hardcore costume it has rocked for the past decade. As a result, Nightmares just presents itself a tad bit overdone, though that's not to say treats can't still be picked out from the 4-track EP.
Opener "Nightmares" is a track to wrestle with in the mind, as its pleasant "I can't take this anymore" line is a sticky brain embedder. Though some of the lyrics seem like a difficult fit into the melody line in some occasions, the rocker will seize the attention of anybody who has had a remote interest in the scene recently. "Flip the Switch" and "Drowning In Numbers" follow a similar formula, fusing familiar instrument work with lead Chris Castillo's Cove Reber-saluting vocals. "Dust" manages to pack some screams into its sputtery rebellion that stubbornly resolves, "They'll never take us alive! / They can't take, they won't take, take us alive / We'll stand our ground and we won't budge."
Nevertheless, the redundancy of The Malheruex's sound is undeniable. One could only wish they manifested themselves earlier as they seem to boast equal potential as that of Saosin. Nightmares is still an enjoyable release, make no mistake about it - just don't over-emphasize its relevance.
Saosin, Circa Survive, The Receiving End of Sirens