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Anthym

Masks Of Sanity (2003)
Self-Released

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on May 16th 2003

This is what I like to see - a band that is completely unsigned, putting forth a lot of effort to making sure their debut album looks and sounds really, really good. Anthym, a 4-piece band from California, understand the idea that you don't need to have label backing to produce a quality product.

Musically, Anthym's sound is that of early Thrice mixed with some of the machine-gun percussiveness found on earlier Fat Wreck bands like Strung Out or Good Riddance. The band's guitarists love power chords, but love whipping out random metal licks even more [which really earns them the Thrice comparison]. But this band isn't a poor man's Thrice, by any means [Contender, anyone?]. The band incorporates a lot more melody in their song structure, occasionally venturing into the "screaming" category but only for color purposes. It's never overdone.

The album itself sounds phenomenonal. These kids probably put a lot of time and effort [and cash!] into recording this disc, and it shows. The artwork is really nice, too, but will also probably garner comparisions to "The Illusion Of Safety" [and about a million other CDs right now, too].

Sadly, though, the band runs out of ideas towards the end of the disc. First track "Broken Vessel" is by far the best song on the disc, and from there the album slowly descends downhill until it becomes nothing more than glorified background music. This isn't to say the band is bad; it just means that while they have a very modest amount of talent, they need to work more on their originality. Bands existed before Thrice - try discovering some of them.

I give this a 5 because I think the band a large pool of talent to draw from, and they have plenty of room to grow. I wouldn't be surprised if they got signed within a few months.

MP3s
Broken Vessel
Reaching
Chapter 7

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Anonymous (May 31, 2005)

SOMETHING AMAZING!!!! i havent put their cd (masks of sanity) down for a moment since 03 warp tour in sd. i love this band soo much! they're new, different and just....something amazing to listen to again and again!!!!

Anonymous (April 20, 2004)

this band is freaken great, there old stuff from there old album which they just recorded is pretty good...but there new EP will blow everyone away. they have changed there sound and it sounds way better and everyone will be way into this...anthym is going to get big off this new EP....and there unreal live...just unreal...thats all i need to say

Anonymous (January 8, 2004)

there amazing, very very awesome. they got lots of talent and they are probably just trying to find there sound like thrice did and if you think they are good know hold on people this band is going places

Anonymous (May 29, 2003)

Strung Out probably had tons of money to record American Paradox with. Anthym most likely didnt so what they got is pretty good seeing as that they dont have a label to help them out. Way to go guys. Your hard work will pay off soon enough.

Anonymous (May 23, 2003)

Maybe the album is less that perfect, but its worlds better than most of the stuff I hear from both unsigned and signed bands. With a little work this band could be out of control...hopefully they get a label to help them out.

Anonymous (May 22, 2003)

I've heard the entire cd and I don't think its groundbreaking but it is slightly above mediocre. Despite being produced by Donnell Cameron, you can tell this CD was recorded on a budget. The guitar and drum tones aren't up to par with other albums hes worked on, most notably Strung Out's "American Paradox". For the most part the songs are standard skate punk with a few Thrice/Iron Maiden licks tossed in here and there. One thing that really bothers me are the tiny mistakes that got left in the final mix. The guitar line on "Broken Vessel" is slightly out of time on two occasions, and the vocals on several tracks are a little bit out of key. For a self-released album this is definately above par, and with a little work they could re-record many of these songs and add a few more for a solid debut on a label.

Anonymous (May 19, 2003)

yeah i got into these guys a while back from just hearing word about them here in socal. they are definitely influenced by thrice, but the statement that "there were bands before thrice, try listening to them" or however it went did not seem fair to me. its a very solid album, and they play a really good show too. june 15 im gonna see them at the house of blues in anaheim with the "special guest" who is pennywise.

check these kids out.

Anonymous (May 19, 2003)

Holy shit who are these guys?!! They are so good I cant believe it! Nice review too--I bought the cd!

Anonymous (May 19, 2003)

these guys are pretty great, and the Thrice comparisons are just surface level observations. I've kept this one on my stereo for a long time. I view this much more as a testament to the old, hard, and fast melodic hardcore sound than anything that's more contemporary. Jordan Pastepunk

Anonymous (May 19, 2003)

i like, i like...

Anonymous (May 19, 2003)

You should go to see Anthym live...they kill it. I saw them at Chain Reaction in OC, CA with Anatomy of a Ghost...very good!

Anonymous (May 18, 2003)

Anthym has been one of the opening bands for many shows that I've planned on going to, but never quite made it to for one reason or another.
They sound like something I'd enjoy live, but not feel any need to listen to on record.

Anonymous (May 17, 2003)

Wow, this band is fuckin' awesome. I cant wait to see these guys. I think I might just buy this CD.

Anonymous (May 16, 2003)

Now they're going to get signed to Epitaph.

Seriously Scott those guys should pay you.

Anonymous (May 16, 2003)

ANthym is good, thrice is better, but anthym is still very good.

Anonymous (May 16, 2003)

This band is definitely good. If you like Thrice and Death by Stereo you will like this album.

Anonymous (May 16, 2003)

we already have thrice

TahoeJeff (May 16, 2003)

Wow...these guys are pretty good. Good review too, totally right abouth the early strungout