Fans of new Scarlet will either hate, or worship this first EP.

These guys certainly changed from this brutal, evil, groundbreaking, no-holds-barred metallic hardcore into the run of the mill, dime a dozen, chugga-chugga hardcore that so many other people are doing. Maybe it was the numerous lineup changes, or time itself, but whatever you know about Scarlet from their recent releases, forget it when you listen to Breaking the Dead Stare; it is simply not the same band.

It's short. That's about the only thing I can find wrong with it. The production isn't anything to shake a stick at, but it towers over the releases that this album can be compared to in its genre. It sounds better than any Reversal of Man, Early Grace, You and I, or pg. 99 album. It can't compare to the fullness of newer Scarlet, but the songs and attitude are surely much better.

My god, the SCREAMING. This guy's voice will terrify you in its sincerity. The guitar work is, by today's standards, nothing new, but when this album was released, it was truly thought provoking...if the thoughts were of suicide and S&M. I can't recommend this album with a whole heart because I can't dictate today's scene, but if you want something pissed off and a short album to make your dad believe you're on a bad path, this is the EP to grab. Good luck finding it though... [Ed.'s Note: coughcough]