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Antagonist

The Envy Of Innocence

[CD]

By: Black Angel

It's about time Dwell Records joined in the Metalcore phenomenon that's been happening for the past few years. And let me be the first to say the label hasn't done a bad job in signing a band called Antagonist. I can't tell you very much about the band as there really isn't much information on their website aside from a string of other releases they've put out in limited quantities. What I can tell you is that the band is from Cali and they have an awful lot in common with A Love Ends Suicide, Unearth and As I Lay Dying.

On the band's new full-length entitled, The Envy Of Innocence, they do everything they can to wreck your neck, while warming your heart and I mean that sincerely. Although the music is pretty gruff and extreme there is a plethora of melodic breakdowns and text-book lead-breaks. I'm not even opposed to the occasional clean vocal lines that filter out in a few of the songs. That's not to say there aren't any growls and screams, because believe me, there's enough to go around twice! The biggest highlight of the disc is the technical prowess of the band, these boys are skilled in the techniques and strategies of Tech-death with a splash of Jazz influences to boot. The only drawback of the entire experience is that I've heard the majority of this before, but hey, as good as it's pulled off here, I'm not inclined to turn away and that's another plus in my book. The standouts on this disc are of plenty but the few that shine the brightest are "Samsara", "Heal My Wound" and "The Chaos We Breathe". If you're a sincere fan of all things Metal/Deathcore I strongly suggest you check out this band and their newest disc, you might just get surprised.

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