12 Stones is the latest entry into the "heavy melody" category, doing their best to incorporate the sounds of Creed, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Rage Against the Machine, and P.O.D. into their music. Interestingly enough, Wind-Up Records had scheduled them to open for the recently cancelled Creed tour.
The approach here parallels Creed almost identically: hard rock music, guitar solos, roaring vocals over music cranked to eleven, spiritually oriented lyrics. "Broken" is the single, a tale of one who needs to turn to God, knowing things will not get better until they do. "The Way I Feel" describes this further, stating that "the world I know is pulling me/more and more each day/I feel like the odd man out as I begin to pray". "My Life" also details the struggle with self-interest.
"Soulfire" can be compared to Days of the New, while "Eric's Song" is slightly mellower than the rest, leaning more towards Third Day.
In general, if you are looking for a loud Christian band that sounds like almost everything on the radio, buy this album. If you don't like the current trends in metal, stay away. This band is as good (or bad, depending on your viewpoint) as any of the "young angry" metal bands that are in constant rotation now. 12 Stones could enjoy some minor fame until the next wave in music comes along.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestWhile I write this, the band is on a US tour with label mates Creed. So, who are the 12 Stones? Well, this is a modern rock band consisting of four young guys. With this self-titled product they present a debut that was produced by Jay Baumgardner (who has worked with Papa Roach, Coal Chamber and others). This resulted in a disc that sounds heavier than the average modern rock CD that I've come…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglPerhaps owing to New Orleans' thriving live music scene, the path to widespread exposure for Louisiana's 12 Stones has been a relatively short one. Hailing from Mandeville, a rural town of roughly 8,000 just north of the Crescent City, the band was invited to play for industry representatives in New York after only a dozen or so live shows and netted a major-label deal with Wind-up Records less…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dr. Bruce L. ThiessenFirst-time listener beware! Due to the conspicuous verisimilitude on the first track between the music of 12 Stones and Creed, you may be tempted to prematurely label these 70's retro rockers as a cookie-cutter-Creed-knock-off band. 12 Stones are obvious aficionados of the ubiquitous Creed, and significantly influenced by them, but a closer, longer listen will reveal an appreciably distinctive…Similar sounding releases
2005The Never EndersAir Raid Romance
2003SkilletCollide
2004EarshotTwo
2004Breaking BenjaminWe Are Not Alone
2002ChevelleWonder What's Next
2003DoubledriveBlue in the Face
