I’ve been through this CD four times waiting for something to catch. I’ll be honest, I’m more excited by the prospect of never having to listen to this CD again than I am of finding some gem of a riff or vocal phrase that I missed the first three (!!) times through.
Uninspired is a word that keeps popping up in my head. While I have no doubt these guys take what they do seriously, the only thing I feel is lame. The sputtering turnip truck rhythms with the constantly distracting click-click-click of the double bass drums and the tired rap/metal verses do not help matters much.
I hate to discourage political protest songs (of which this disc has many), but with lines like “Praise the new drug!/Your routine is the latest trend and you’re wearing your enslavement/like a prescription fashion statement Hallelujah,” from “Backburner,” the only people they’ll be influencing are a good four to five years from voting age. Twelve Tribes could easily be one of the breakout bands of melodic hard/metalcore. Like every crossover band from an underground scene not yet completely exploited, these guys are a watered down, teen-friendly version, with enough sheen and polish to sell the stinkiest turd.
