Thankfully, ALES do set themselves apart from the pack in more ways than one. Firstly, the guitarists in this band went to the school of Metal and studied the art of shredding because not a tune on In This Disaster lacks in the lead break department. The first track "Cold Summer", truly sets the tone of the disc with a ripping lead that takes us right into a melodic pit of technical, hardcore breakdowns, followed up by a raging gang vocal attack. Vocalist, Cairoli, does his best to impress in a Hatebreed/deep throated growl and it works to his advantage. The title track "In This Disaster" carries on much in the same way and I can't help but to wanna stomp my feet and pump my fist. There are even a few clean vocal lines, which nine times out of ten, annoy me to no end, but I'm not bothered by it here at all - again it works to the band's advantage. The next track to thoroughly obliterate the senses is "Romance Creates Killers" and Cairoli again makes his presence known and felt as does the driving rhythm section of the band. As a matter of fact, this tune may be the tightest and best put together of the eleven tracks on this disc. Other numbers that will leave a mark are "Dying To Be Beautiful", "The Black Art" and "Amadeus".

I just can't say enough about how good this disc is, I think it stands to show that Tim Lambesis and Metal Blade Records both have very good taste and know good talent when they see it. Of course ALES aren't totally original, as we've all heard the bulk of everything here before but the band's enthusiasm and knack for writing catchy grooves more than makes up for it. Although the band is fairly young and has a long way to go, I'm of the opinion that they can hang with the big boys that rule this genre - All That Remains, As I Lay Dying and so forth. Do yourself a favor and check this band out!