"94 Hours" opens with killer guitar tone that hooks you the moment you hear it. This leads way to the drumming, although it sounds like there is excessive triggers, is quite impressive. The blast beat in the middle of the song gives way to the massive breakdowns that ends the track. Thats how a lot of the songs are on this record are. Some cool riffs, intricate drum work with loads of the standard hardcore breakdowns tossed in and BAM! Thats the As I Lay Dying song formula. The melody they inject into their songs is pretty good but sometimes comes across as recycled "Swedish" stuff (In Flames/Soilwork).
The vocalist is pretty talented also. He has a ok scream, but throws in a periodic growl that sounds great and his clean vocals, mainly on "Distance is Darkness" are amazing. So while this record isnt breaking any new ground, it does flow quite well from beginning to end and seems to bring out the METAL in metalcore (despite the mushy lyrics and gay image of the band!)
That, and the 9th song called "The Beginning" has this guitar line that sounds just like Iron Maiden's "The Trooper."
Standout tracks:
94 Hours
Forever
Distance is Darkness
The Beginning