Screaming Eyes

Greed

Written by: PP on 05/01/2012 03:46:29

Screaming Eyes, who originate from Italy, are a quintessential example of what is wrong with modern metalcore. They're a fine band technically: the songs have plenty of ridiculously fast and melodic tapped leads borrowed from the Gothenburg bands. The vocals are solid as well: they're fronted by a thick growler, who is contrasted by a good clean vocalist, and together they form dynamic melodies that lead into catchy, anthemic choruses in pretty much every song. But it doesn't have an ounce of originality in it. If there ever was a great example of 'stock' or 'generic' metalcore, then "Greed" would be it. Everything you'll hear on the album you'll have heard done before, except by a bigger and better band, whom Screaming Eyes pale in comparison to.

In short, Screaming Eyes are a decent band playing a genre that's been done to death so many times that their release feels almost pointless at this stage of metalcore history, where the style is so saturated that the chance of Screaming Eyes to reach the status of, say, Parkway Drive, is non-existent. For example, the riffs reference older metalcore bands like As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, etc, except with the constant nagging feeling that they aren't quite as gripping. The growler, while alright in technical terms, is completely anonymous and lacks any memorable character. He's your standard metalcore screamer/growler, who sounds like all the other dudes in his style who never made it big.

The good news, however, is that the clean vocals are a bright spot in the midst of hopelessly generic metalcore, and alone elevate this record from purely generic into 'decent, but still meh'. They are strong, powerful, and capable of some sick choruses as on "Pull The Trigger" and "When I'll Close My Eyes". They aren't, however, enough to make Screaming Eyes matter to even the average metalcore fan. Maybe five years ago this would've been a release worth paying attention to, but as we've turned into 2012 now, I just don't see who would be interested in stock metalcore riffs any longer. Even if you like what you hear in the player, don't expect to remember this album in even a month's time from now.

5

Download: When I'll Close My Eyes, Pull The Trigger
For the fans of: As I Lay Dying, My Children My Bride, All That Remains
Listen: Facebook

Release date 20.10.2011
This Is Core Records

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