Artist - Kylesa
Album - To Walk A Middle Course
Label - Prosthetic Records (2005)
Reviewer - Marc Halverson
With so many bands in metal and hardcore beating down the same path these days, it is difficult for bands to distinguish themselves from the rest. However, Kylesa brings a new dose of metal/punk/sludge/hardcore to the underground table that should appeal to a variety of different listener’s. “With breakdowns that resonate with hardcore bands like Throwdown, to flittering riffs that echo Tool and Radiohead, Kylesa has mastered a sound that is sure to turn (and crack) some skulls,” (Fiend, SMNnews.com).
The opening track, ‘In Memory’ is a heavy hitting song with gang like choruses you find in Biohazard and Terror. Another strong track is ‘Train Of Thought’, which displays more of their distinct blend of punk/metal/sludge. Another unique thing about Kylesa is the fact that there are 3 vocalists throughout their songs, which are lead by Laura Pleasants (vocals/guitar), Phillip Cope (vocals/guitar), and Corey Barhorst (vocals/bass). Other strong tracks are ‘Welcome Mat To An Abandoned Life’, ‘Eyes Closed From Birth’ and ‘Phantom Crawl’.
To Walk A Middle Course’ definitely takes its on path to reach the underground of so many different genre’s but should still appeal to the respective listener’s of each. I listened to it a few times through before jumping to any conclusions but it was refreshing to hear something that did not sound like everything else that is out there right now. Keep an open mind and take a walk with Kylesa down the middle course.
