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Frenetic. Abrasive. Unabashed. [Adjective]. Do these words describe your favorite band? If so, then you should already own Cryonics by our friends from Level Plane, Hot Cross. Just so things aren’t awkward, I’ll introduce the band: Hot Cross is a five-piece that’s heavy on the ex-member status (Saetia, Off Minor, Neil Perry, and You and I are some of the bands members have previously been in), but that’s not the only thing they’re heavy on! To someone who has never heard of this band, imagine fret-burning riffs, chaotic drum beats, and insane vocal dynamics (sometimes three people sing at once!). By the way, they go by the names of Greg, Josh, Casey, Billy, and Matt. Hey guys.

Hot Cross is hardcore, but in no way the chugga-chugga, growling/whining way that seems to be the thing to do as of late. I could say something cliché like they are breathing a fresh breath of air into the hardcore scene, but I won’t. What they’re doing isn’t new or unheard of, but it’s a little different from the norm and whatever it is, it really works. One highlight track on the album, “Pretty Picture Of A Broken Face,” exemplifies the three descriptions I touched upon earlier. The guitar interplay is amazing on this song, as are the vocals. Listening to three people each shout/scream/yell/sing something different, but still have it flow melodically is just breathtakingly awesome. The drums make me want to have a seizure, in an acceptable way. There is a certain element of danceability to Hot Cross’ songs on Cryonics, as well. “Dissertation: 14" is a prime example: the driving beginning will make you want to do that snake thing with your arms, and at the half-minute mark you’ll be pretending to get shot (the drums sound like machine guns!). The rest of the song you’ll spend just seizing all over the place.

What I’m getting at is most of this album is insane and spastic, like a seizure. Fear not, epilepsy victims, however, for the dynamics on this album allow for quiet, soothing moments too (“A Tale For The Ages” is a spaz-free, relaxing jam). There’s even a nice instrumental (“Frozen By Tragedy”) towards the end of the album. Speaking of instrumentals, the lyrics on this album aren’t too shabby, either. One of the best lines on the album appears in the first song, “Fortune Teller”: “Fuck not lest ye be fucked.” Simple, yet they hit you in the face when spat from the mouth of vocalist Billy Werner. The lyrics aren’t poetry, but they’re leagues ahead of some of the current crap that passes (A Static Lullaby what?).

Cryonics is a great album, one that I think was overshadowed by Shai Hulud’s release this year (they were both released on the same day). If you like radically killer guitar riffs, totally wacky vocals (with up to three singers!), and spastic drums, then I’d say this album is for you. Oh yeah, seizures too. If you’re into seizures, get this.



People who liked this also liked:
Hot Cross - Fair Trade And FarewellsModern Life Is War - My Love, My WayAt The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandWeezer - The Blue AlbumWeezer - PinkertonGraf Orlock - Destination Time YesterdayThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartPelican - The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the ThawYaphet Kotto/This Machine Kills/Envy - split CDDillinger Four - Midwestern Songs of the Americas



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    Posted by pancho_523 on 2006-11-21 09:20:18
    My Score:

    gret album...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 28, 2005 at 10:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Yeah actually someone in this band was in Off Minor. Know your shit before you open your mouth jackass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 at 3:24 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    there are a handful of good songs on this, but i was really disappointed overall considering how much i loved their EP.

    Posted by slippy on 2003-12-20 17:49:20
    My Score:

    just bought this cd today...wow...it is fucking great. don't know what else to say. kinda reminds me of the blood brothers, and shai hulud at times.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 6:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    1 of the guys, matt, was the original bassist of off minor...

    Posted by sk8punx4evr on 2003-11-17 21:39:01
    My Score:

    ...sorry.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 1:57 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    no one in this band was in off minor.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 8:00 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    for those of you looking for some audio you can download "pretty picture of a broken face from their mp2.com site:
    http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/612/hot_cross.html

    or their record label:
    http://www.level-plane.com/html/index.html

    Posted by sk8punx4evr on 2003-11-12 22:08:23
    My Score:

    i should mention that this is their debut full length. pretty good huh!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 7:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I was going to post and discuss how amazing this cd is - but I think I'll give the utmost respect to the person who posted below me instead.

    "bllllaaaaazzzzeeee"

    Gold Jerry. Gold.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 11:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    You probably shouldn't make fun of your friend, she might get pissed. See that girl on the cover of this cd? See the magic lazers coming out of her eyeballs.

    "bllllaaaaazzzzeeee"

    That's what they sound like.

    Seriously

    If your friend was that girl, you'd be fucked.

    Sand

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 9:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I think making fun of A Static Lullaby may be one of the most fun things ever. One of my friends likes them, i made fun of her, she got really pissed. PHHHHH

    Posted by 501 on 2003-11-11 19:31:21
    My Score:

    Once again a static lullably sucks. I appreciate when people use them as a suck factor. It makes me laugh. ASL sucks nuts. And as for Hot Cross... never heard them but looks like i might just check them out, good review.

    Posted by stealth on 2003-11-11 18:17:38
    My Score:

    Hot Cross is good.
    sk8punx4evr reviews are good, as well.
    What a lucky day!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 5:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    radically killer guitar riffs! not as good as Hulud d00d!

    this record is lame. their EP was urgent and spastic and well-written and right to the point. this album is slowed down, boring, and full of useless guitar effects. theyre sloppy as hell now.

    but then again, if you think the new shai hulud is good, you probably already like shitty music so this is right up your alley

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 5:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    excellent record, I especially love the Meat Puppets-esque intro to the start of figure eight, good stuff.

    Posted by greyicewater on 2003-11-11 17:33:24
    My Score:

    any band with members of saetia is going to be amazing. i love this album so so so so much.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 5:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is a screamo band...good record

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 4:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I would suck 5 cocks now.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-11-11 16:42:48
    My Score:

    Ex-members of Saetia, this sounds too good to be true. Looks like I'll have to add this to the list of "albums to ask my friend Josh who has 400 GB in music to burn for me."

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 4:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Saw 'em live in Mineola in September I think (anyone else there?). They're cool. Should've gotten the record...
    -Janelle

    Posted by musical-monkey on 2003-11-11 16:28:34
    My Score:

    Hot Cross rocks.

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