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| NarcissusCrave and Collapse2003 Abacus 
 Review by: FortyMinutesWest See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Abacus Recordings (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on December 5th 2003 I remember when I used to only know Cleveland for their shoddy minor league hockey team, the Lumberjacks. Well, it turns out that aside from doing a piss poor job of preparing players for the NHL, Cleveland has also been producing bands like Narcissus. After a couple releases with smaller labels, Narcissus has found themselves a home on Abacus Recordings, a division of metal powerhouse Century Media. This four piece blends rock and metal with surprising efficiency, and manages to avoid many of the clichés that have been plaguing heavy/melodic music as of late. The band’s true strong suit really lies in its versatility. Whether they’re playing spacey rock with soaring vocals (see: the album’s title track) or blisteringly heavy songs with screamed vocals (see: “Pride/Politics”) the band seems right at home. Vocalist John Pope can really carry a song with his singing/screaming, as he has such a powerful voice. Both sides of his vocal attack are well done, meaning transitions come off as smooth and natural, rather than forced. The band could probably just rely on this and do quite well for themselves, but they also happen to be talented musicians. The guitar work here ranges from intricate melodic passages, to heavy distorted churning, to almost Led Zeppelin sounding riffs. If I had to make comparisons, I’d say that I’m reminded of newer Cave In, but with a bit more punch. This album can range from being relatively straight forward to being a bit experimental, but it never really risks losing the listener’s interest. It’s seems rare to find a band that is both progressive and sincere, but these guys manage to pull both off. With such a huge and dynamic sound it’s hard to believe that this band is only a four piece with only guitar player. No one will ever accuse this band of not making the most of what they have. It basically boils down to this: Narcissus does a good job of taking two genres that have become fairly watered down as of late and made both sides sound fresh. You can’t ask for much more from a so called “hybrid” band. “Crave and Collapse” delivers on multiple levels and will therefore appeal to wide variety of music fans, do yourself a favor and check this one out. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Fucking horrible singing on this cd. I can't take it. This is one of the best metal/hardcore relese of the year...and theres no trace of trendy emo-core parts or overused Gothenburg-style riffs!! "cleveland puts out some damn good hardcore. integrity,ringworm and one life crew" I lost my keys in Cleveland once, it sucked. I remember when i was in cleveland years ago - when the indians were still situated in 'the mistake on the lake' - and was at the game and afterwards found out the keys were locked in the car. that sucked... I would consider cave in's last album commerical rock. Well, some of the riffs are similar to the spacey rock that Cave In has been known to use. And this is nothing close to commercial rock or screamo. This band does not compare well to cave in in regards to quality or genre (commercial rock similar to generic "screamo?" Trying to hard superdude. This review was good, but here's how I would make it better: All I meant with "newer Cave In with more punch" was that the music was similar to newer Cave In but slightly more agressive. I was in no way trying to bash Cave In. i hope you take my advice to heart and someone discovers you hanging from a noose in a tree in the middle of the woods with a stick up your butt and your pants around ankles and they think you were some perverted dendrophiliac engaging in some ritualistic bondage tree fucking shit This record sounds nothing like Cave In of any era, let alone with more of a punch. Cave In has always written amazing songs, no matter what genre they decided to play them in. More of a punch? Give me a break. This record is slightly above average at best. With all the singing screaming bands, this band barely rises above anything in a genre fat with saturation. ps- if you really wanna get specific i heard cave-in is doing the metal stuff again because they discovered that the 2.0version of their band wasn't trendy... all the kids, they like the "metalcore" these days i like how twat quoted the reviewer but ommitted the word "newer" from the quote, completely changing the essence of what the reviewer was trying to say in an attempt to take the reviewers words and use them against him... and then it completely backfired... "Cave in but with more of a punch? Hey fuckhead antenna isn't their only album. Try listening to until your heart stops." This record is awesome, get it. Cave in but with more of a punch? Hey fuckhead antenna isn't their only album. Try listening to until your heart stops. And please morons, STOP COMPARING SHIT LIKE THIS TO ZEPPELIN! I don't care if it’s only comparing haircuts, you don’t fucking do it. God you make me want to vomit. this band gets my approval, isn't that cool? the opening to the commons never fails to destroy me with awesome. I question the neccesity for including a reference to the Cleveland Lumberjacks in your review. Not needed.. i've been meaning to pick this one up for a while. can never seem to find it though. I question the neccesity for including a reference to the Cleveland Lumberjacks in your review. Not needed.. cleveland puts out some damn good hardcore. integrity,ringworm and one life crew. I have a hockey puck for the Lumberjacks. |
