Now I don't know how Narcissus used to be but I love the Narcissus I've come to know. Upon hearing em at TOMfest I wasn't superstoked on them because they were SO hyped to me about being really really good. So naturally I was disappointed. I picked up their new CD through The Blamed (who were distroing it) the week after TOM (when I went to buy it at TOM they had already packed bags and left) so I was stoked to get it. I listened and listened and listened and I came out really liking this CD.
Musically I could see someone who's into the deftones getting into this and someone who is really into hardcore digging it also. The music is melodic at times and discordant at others. There's even some Living Sacrifice type riding feels in there, not a bad thing when used with discretion. The vocals are great and very varied. One verse is high pitched screaming then to drop to a low almost death growl, while the chorus is sang very prettily. Great vocal range needs to be appreciated in an age of vocalists who get into one style and stick to it never wavering. I really love the vocals a whole bunch. All the instruments are played incredibly well and tight, it sounds as if you are hearing the band practice these songs right through your speakers. The production is really clean with not much lowend which at first is a bit weird but I grew to like the mechanical feel of the bass drums in time with the guitar especially when they hit together.
I can listen to this album three times through and not get bored of it. Which of course my wife hates but is a good thing for me. Not too much of one certain style they mix it up very well without sounding strained. I definitely recommend this to someone looking for a bit more thought in their hardcore.
I could go on and on about how much I love this CD but you would really have to take a listen to decide for yourself. It's really a one person basis album.
favorite tracks: newwave techno homicide, shaddai, and lakatha
9.5/10
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyMetal-Core on Take Hold Records. I have been hearing about Narcissus for awhile now but this CD was my first real listen. My initial playing of the CD took place through the headphones in the computer lab at my school and I immediately had trouble sitting still (yeah I got some strange looks). Narcissus plays a sort of Metal-Core but add a mix of singsong vocals in addition to the screaming. It's…HM Magazine #86Reviewed by Aaron WreckinthangsOh Boy, this release is, simply put, "BRUTAL." Yet another Takehold band to step up to the plate. There is something for everyone in this disc, heavy guitars, brutal breakdowns, and yes, your typical screamy metal vocals, with occasional deep metal growls. This is more experimental than their last release, and not quite as metal, in my opinion. This doesn't make it worse than the last release,…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by undeadWarning!!!, for those of you out there who have ...And Forthwith Came Out Blood and Water, this new disc may come as a shock to you. The first time I heard my boys from Cleveland live, I knew I had to have that EP. It's been in my cd player quite a bit since then. Unlike most metalcore bands, Narcissus was able to capture pure brutality with melody on their ep, and that's what made it such a good…Similar sounding releases
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