2008 Woodie Awards
Gwen Stacy makes solid first impression
Local Music
Josh Lauritsen
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Entertainment
|
The first impression stays with someone for the rest of his or her days. No matter what that person does, he or she will always be judged by what they did that first time.
Such is the case for bands as well. For the rest of their musical career, they'll always be compared to that first record. In this case, we look at Indianapolis-based Christian metal band (no, that's not a typo. Christian music has come a long way since hymns or easy-listening gospel artists) Gwen Stacy. On Feb. 5, they finally released their debut album entitled "The Life I Know."
So how does this first impression turn out?
This album will do little to distinguish them from an already flooded genre, but still a solid debut.
The main complaint with this album is most of the songs end up sounding alike. In a scene where almost nothing is new anymore, this is key. There's very little to distinguish each from one another. That is, unless you count a few times when a chorus sings between vocalist Cole Wallace's throaty screaming vocals.
A majority of the songs contain the same basic elements you would find if there was ever a book entitled "Metal core for Dummies." Such things include (but are not limited) to the following: heavy down-tuned distorted guitars, blast beats and stomp riffs on drums, screaming vocals that could make anyone's throat hurt just by listening, lyrics that deal with faith and the struggles of the life you know, catchy breakdowns, the list goes.
Perhaps the biggest standout track is "Sleeping in the Train Yard," the longest song on the record (clocking in at 7:19). The song starts out slow and just keeps building until the vocals kick in. This could qualify as the band's ballad, despite its harsh presentation.
Long time fans who have been following them since their beginning in 2004 will be pleased with one of the songs off their EP featured on the album ("Gone Fishing. See You in a Year"). Little has changed in the song, unless you're really particular about production.
Overall, "The Life I Know" won't earn them any Grammy nominations or anything like that, but it's still a solid debut. I can't recommend this album for everyone, though. Seeing as there are still many who think that Christian metal is still the biggest (and possibly worst) oxymoron in music history. As for this first impression, they've definitely made their presence known.
For more information, check them out at www.myspace.com/gwenstacy, or catch them on Feb. 17 when they return home with fellow Indianapolis band Haste the Day.
Be the first to comment on this story