Mind Equals Blown

One of my most anticipated albums dropped lately. That’s right, the new The Eyes Of A Traitor album Breathless was just released via Listenable Records. Now, this band is probably not in many people’s iTunes library, but this five piece UK hardcore entourage blew my mind the second I heard them, and they have yet to disappoint.

The band kicks it off with a good old prologue. Ahhh, the prologue, a must on any epic hardcore album. This features the drums and a single guitar bursting and the volume being turned up slowly but steadily, then all the instruments play together. But wait, that’s their next song, “The Birth.” I think the title of that song really plays into the album as many bloggers speculate that the song titles may tell a story of sorts (Yes, I am one of them).  This first actual song comes in brutal and hard with some very nice growls, and heavy chunky riffage. The snare drum hits are very well placed, and add to the uniqueness of their second track.

Now, you can’t judge a band on one song can you? No. So, I’ve listened to the entire album and scouted it out for you guys, and I must say, it’s incredible. The next song, “Come To My Senses,” comes in thrashing with a heavy hi-hat/snare combo and some nice bass bursting, coupled with some heavy riffs that would make you want to mosh in a pit of ravenous hyenas. About a third way through this song, they stop the heavy guitar riffs, and one guitar goes off and does a 2-note riff combo, that slays the track even though it is simple as beans. You hear some clean vocals in this track, and some nice string bends, which remind me of Texas in July, or the song “Danger:Wildman” by The Devil Wears Prada. Definitely a good listen, clean vocals are a nice change from the high pitched squeaky singers you hear in this music.

Let’s skip ahead shall we? “The Talk Of The Town” comes in with a heavy guitar riff and one hell of a drum roll, to be coupled by a very good high scream, and then the music picks up and really gets you pumped up. The transitions in this song are about as good as they get, and you’ll hear some slow but melodic riffs that make this song epicly brutal. Keep in mind, they’re not going crazy like Thy Art Is Murder or Return From Exile, but it’s definitely a great riff. You’ll hear the full range of their vocalist in this song, which I must say is quite extensive. As a fellow vocalist I have to admit I’m jealous of those low growls. Also, during the outro you’ll hear a little solo. Normally I’d say hardcore has no place for solos, but this band pulls EVERYTHING off in this album that I’ve wanted to hear.

The Eyes Of A Traitor exits with the song “Grounded,” a distorted guitar comes in with a hefty drum roll, and the band starts doing a chugging beat before the constant double bass comes in to fire things up. This song is pretty unique in my opinion, but many of you may see it differently. I think its great. You’ll hear some higher palm muting that makes it almost sound like hardcore punk, which is where all this hardcore music originated from (for all you music braniacs). You’ll hear more melodic riffing and clean vocals that again revert to older hardcore punk.

All in all, I gladly say that I’m an owner of this album and I encourage you all to go onto iTunes and BUY THIS ALBUM, because it’s worth a few bucks and if these guys are touring near you, go give them a try. I know they’ve exceeded all my expectations because their first album was mediocre at best with not too much originality. Thanks for reading, drop a comment off and let’s see those opinionated arguments – Caleb.