I pop this CD into the player. I play the first cut, the title-track. What I hear? Metal! The first one and half minute really got me off track because this ain't metal! This is a punk rock band! Amazing. I really thought this was metal at first. There's a hint of hardcore now and then, reminding me of Stretch Arm Strong. Off The Record is like a punkband playing speedmetal tunes while one of their guitarists sounds like he used to play Stryper-covers for he adorns the songs with harmonic sounds and pick-slides. This all played at a frenzied pace. When hardcore and metal collide they call it metalcore. Can we then call Off The Record a metalpunk band? I don't know...I have to get used to that! Well, it's clear that there are a lot of metalsounds and ideas here. There are some solos that you'd rather expect on a rock 'n roll release. Still it's punk rock. This is a cool band to check out, not only for those into punk rock. Take for example Cheap Thrill with its enjoyable guitar-playing that sends pleasant shivers over my back. If they can pull this off live, I think Tooth & Nail may pat themselves on their backs for signing this band. This album is really hot!
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2000Reviewed by ConradAggressive guitar hyper-punk. Let me first start off by saying they love their artificial harmonics. The guitarist grew up on metal, I'm sure. This is mainly a hyper-punk band with a metal guitarist. So you get a good combination of vocal melody and shredding guitars. The only problems I have with this album are the melodies could have been a little catchier, and the vocals were a little loud in…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianThis CD starts out sounding like a metal band but then quickly breaks into the good old hyper beat punk rock. Overall the CD gives us a nice mix of punk rock with metal riffs. I guess NOFX, or Millencolin would be a good comparison, but not many bands can keep up with NOFX, and I wouldn't say Off the Record could either. Nothing too original here, yet what they do, they do just fine. Probably the…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Jim ShadyIf you are looking for a good NOFX cover band for your birthday party then these guys may be a good choice. This album was a bit deceiving in that it opened with a song that was something right out of the vaults of Megadeth or any other 80's metal band but from there the gears shifted to a Fat Records type of band. Typically all Fat Record bands have a NOFX type sound with Fat Mike type of vocals…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerTooth & Nail's Off the Record plays an intriguing blend of genres that is equal parts punk, skate and heavy metal. Their debut album, Remember When..., opens with the title track's two minute instrumental introduction, before lead singer Keith Allen half-sings/half-screeches: Silent screams echo through your life Can anyone hear of what has just become? All alone, no time for a change No sight…Similar sounding releases
2002Strung OutAn American Paradox
2002NOFX45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records
2001DogwoodMatt Aragon
19997-10 SplitTrial by Stone
1998MxPxLet It Happen
2005ChampionTime Slips Away
