After hearing Sinai Beach's first two releases and keeping in mind the progression between the two (not to mention a bigger budget...crap, I just lost half of my audience), I had hopes that this album could quite possibly be one of the best hard releases of the year. Their demo, Wolves in Sheeps Clothing, didn't reach many people's ears until its re-release on Facedown Records. When Breath Escapes was their first full length, coming off a surprisingly mature album with its tasteful blend of speedy progressions, timely breakdowns, intelligible hardcore screams, an ample portion of clean vocals, and focused lyrics...this was well done, even accessible, metalcore, which instilled hope in many that the Christian scene had finally offered up a sort of best kept secret. Ideally, this band has everything lined up to make it all happen, but unfortunately, this release falls short of incredible.
Immersed starts off with the short instrumental "Apocalypse", featuring primarily chugging guitars with some dark meandering keys setting the tone for the first song, which breaks open appropriately with some screaming and heavy fast guitars and drumming. The screaming vocals are definitely in place from the last album. Intensity is in check. Eventually, however, I'm a little surprised to hear an awkward singing...I can't really describe how it sounds, but it's not like the old Sinai Beach I used to know. The only word I can find for it is "buoyant". The vocals bounce up and down around before landing on a note that to my untrained ear seems somewhat off-pitch. I hoped this wouldn't last for the whole album, but unfortunately, this distracting feature comes up in almost every song. The only thing I can say for these parts is they serve as a nice break from the sometimes-redundant heavier parts.
Vocals aside (which for all I know, you may enjoy), Immersed offers plenty of rewards for sticking it out. Necessary Blood is a speedy song with a short solo before going into breakdown city where it then breaks out to a variant finish. The guitars don't hang on a riff for more than a few measures, and I respect their efforts at creativity. The next song, "To the Church" offers somewhat of a techno industrial intro with lyrics about not being prideful, but instead extending compassion and grace as God has done to us. Lyrically, this is Sinai's boldest album. In the past, they clearly had Christian leanings but dealt with it without stepping on too many toes. Here, I find a boldness that...well... in my first listen, I could have sworn I heard him say "I'll p*** on your tortured soul". I checked the lyrics, sure enough, yep, that's what he said. Now, the song is talking about Satan himself, but still, I can't help but feel awkward around this kind of statement as inviting some sort of curse upon yourself for picking a fight with the prince of darkness.
In all, expect ample variation, nice contrast between screaming and singing parts, tempo changes, tighter production, and bold spiritual lyrics.
2.5/4
Similar sounding releases
2004Of the SonThe Dead Will Rise
2004The ShowdownA Chorus of Obliteration
2001Zao(Self-Titled)
1999UnderoathAct of Depression
1999ChaliceDeathmask Grin
1997Screams of ChaosGenetic War
