I could get into this cd a lot more if the name of it didn't remind me so much of Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. It's ok though, there's not much Zao influence evident. What you're going to find on this cd is some sick metalcore complete with brutal drums and tight, chaotic guitars. The vocals are very original. I hope this doesn't turn anyone off from this cd when I say this, because I dislike the vocals to Brother's Keeper just as much as you do, but the vocals for Narcissus for the most part sound to me like a cross between Brother's Keeper and Luti-Kriss. How they managed to do that and still have it sound cool, I don't know. Every now and then, the vocalist will switch to clean, sung vocals. He's not bad at it but it doesn't fit the music too well. I wish he'd just stick to screaming. Musically, Narcissus is very inventive. Some parts are better than others, but overall they play some pretty killer metal. I would say that about 70% of Narcissus is good, 20% is great and 10% could be better. I can only imagine what these guys must be like live. I'm sure it's crazy. It is difficult to compare Narcissus to any one other band. Therefore, I can only say that if you are a metalcore fan and feel that your cd collection is lacking, Narcissus is probably a needed addition.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #81Reviewed by David M. PoggeThis is metal-core, through and through. Machine gun drums and lightning fast guitar riffs come at you out of nowhere like a tornado only to drop you right into a vicious slow groove that will have you wind-milling with the best of them. John Pope's frantic, hoarse screams are not too far off from that of Zao's. Fans of Zao and Spitfire beware: This CD could become addicting. For ordering info,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Chris KingMetalcore...the problem with genre labels is that they are so limiting. Narcissus has a hybrid metal/hardcore song structure and playing style, with a meaty metallic sound. Scattered here and there you will find death metal style chaotic outbursts and trippy guitar effects breaking up the potential monotony. These things make them a good solid "metalcore" band, but what really sets Narcissus…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by undeadThis band hails from Cleveland, Ohio, and man do they bring a style of music all their own. This style can only be compared to metalcore, or chaoscore possibly, but neither of those categories define the music well enough. One thing I really enjoy on this EP is the mixing element of completely shrill screams, and clean vocals in the next breath. Definitely adding to their element is their live…Similar sounding releases
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