While certainly getting inundated with digital promos for the latest and greatest and most anticipated releases from large bands and labels is a perk of this ‘job’, one of the more pleasurable elements is getting set stuff from honest to goodness, hardworking bands that actually want a review. Bands that send you emails, thanks and want your opinion. For every hundredth stock, forgetful digital promo I get from Metal Blade, Nuclear Blast, Century Media and others, it’s the unknown, blue collar self promoting bands like The Living Fields, The Pax Cecelia, Kalisia, Iron Thrones, Since Yesterday that stick with me and have even forged friendships with.
And so enter New York’s Severed. Now, don’t get me wrong, this quintet isn’t going to change metal, as their choice of hardcore/thrash/American metal is going to get steamrolled by the likes of All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and such, but fans of those bands should definitely take note.
Reminding a little of California’s Better Left Unsaid, Severed’s sound is energetic and competent, and with the deep vocals of Christian Geraldino (Dead to Fall’s Jon Hunt anyone?), a little burly, even with the usual screams and clean interjections. But, they ply this 30-minute album with an honest sense of enjoyment as well as skill. The shredding, galloping dual guitars of Justin Whang and Shane Sorbello have a little Coyle Bros. (God Forbid) and Herbet/Martin (All That Remains) in their flare and melodies and the songwriting has a nice balance of thrashing harmonies and beefy breakdowns, without being overly contrived or clichéd.
In fact, the likes of “Envision” (with a nice little clean/piano bridge before a very sturdy breakdown), catchy “A Better Way”, galloping “Seasons” and personal favorite “My Warning” are deceptively good. Geraldino’s clean vocals aren’t overly poppy or emo, and the whole affair, even with a slightly loose production and percussion reeks of a band that ‘wants it’, rather than going through the motions. The band also shows that they have some balls to as heard to start the otherwise introspective lurching “The Ultimate Power”. These guys have it all.
Watch out for ‘em.
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Hey Erik,
Thank you so much for the kind words in regards to the band and the album. It means alot to us that you listened to us and enjoyed what you heard.
<3
on Aug 17th, 2010 at 06:54SEVERED
Hey Erik! I’m glad that you enjoyed it, and you might be pleased to hear that we’re actually shooting a video for your favorite, My Warning this coming weekend. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to review us- it’s great motivation now that we’re in the process of sorting through unfinished material for our next release.
on Aug 17th, 2010 at 07:13Your comparison to the Coyle brothers is enough to pique my interest just a bit, Erik. I’ve pretty much been done with this kind of stuff for some time now, (outside God Forbid and a couple select others) but I might give this a go, nice review.
on Aug 17th, 2010 at 15:08Don’t forget about MN’s own The Fifth Sun, Erik. Solid review… well investigate.
on Aug 19th, 2010 at 18:19