Okay, let me clear up some information from the review of the previous five-song demo that may have been correct at the time of that writing, but needs to be updated: Soterios' full-length CD will be out on Clenched Fist, and not No Compromise as stated in the last review. Now, on with this review...
After hearing the pre-release of Soterios' up-and-coming ...The Blinding Pain of Unspoken Words..., the description I will use for the music is Death Groove Core. Yep, that's what we need. Another band with the word "core" somewhere in the music description. Anyway, good natured ribbing aside (I'm sure Jeff won't kill me that much), I must comment that what appeals to me is the fact that the music isn't as chaotic and unstructured as most typical hardcore acts that I've heard (and the reason why I'm not typically drawn to the music style). Yes, there are breakdowns and spoken verse on the songs that typify most hardcore music, and there's the heavy groove pattern that typifies much of the modern metal out today (sheesh, am I beginning to show my age?), and the baritone death growl is still as spine-tingling as it was when I could hear it live in person (Jeff, in the off-chance that you're reading this review...I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!! sniff holding back the tears...). There are definite elements of Solid State-era Living Sacrifice, Zao, Sleeping By The Riverside and Eleven Hours Down in the mix. This CD includes some newer cuts along with remastered versions of songs from their five-song DIY demo. My advice- as soon as this is released on Clenched Fist, pick it up.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Doug Van PeltI remember the last time I was in a fist fight... I flailed my arms about in an effort to wreak havoc on my opponent and, at the same time, deflect his blows. That violent behavior compares to the raw intensity but differs from the controlled aggression of a friendly mosh pit. Everyone is knocked around a little, arms and elbows fly in every direction, but the fists are purposefully thrown to…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Josh SpencerSoterios is a technical metalcore dragon with phlegmy black metal rasps, death metal growls, gruff hardcore shouts, and even some spoken word every now and then. Forsaking the typical low end for a scratchy trebly guitar tone, they kick up clouds of manic chaos. Very capable musicianship, with each player in the pocket. The guitars alternate between percussive, palm-muted stop and go riffing,…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by GrindboyLet's call Soterios "middle of the road metalcore" -- what I mean is imagine Spitfire or PSI-era TFU covering Mindrage or Uplifted. Somewhat chaotic and somewhat sensical, with distinctive Spitfire-esque guitar tones and vocals all over the spectrum from standard scratchy screaming to death growls to talk-overs. All great elements, but when they put it all together. . . it just doesn't seem to…
