CoC : Thoughts Betrayed - Recollection : Review

Thoughts Betrayed - _Recollection_
(Independent, 2007)
by: Quentin Kalis (8.5 out of 10)

Key members Dave Cardwell and Zack Uid are accomplished guitarists, between them releasing a number of instructional products, solo albums and supplementing their income by providing the lessons and session work. In-between all this, I would have thought they would have built up a sufficient network amongst the local musicians in their respective hometowns of Indianapolis and Chicago to find a session drummer for their performances. Instead, they rely on programmed drums. If they were a couple of teenagers in a remote hamlet in, say, Montana, I could understand if they had to resort to artificial percussion; but they are professional guitarists in major urban areas -- how hard could it be to locate a session drummer to provide a rhythmic backdrop for their guitarwork?

Of course, the rhythm section (the bass is also "programmed") is not the album's raison d'être, but merely the background for complex rhythms, unconventional time signatures, highly technical leads and all that other stuff beloved by the prog crowd. They do not get lost in extended bouts of self-indulgence, and provide melodious and well-constructed songs that can be appreciated by both the hardcore guitarist and the average metal head and be forgiven for both the drum machine and the power metal flavour of the opener. The vocals are clearly enunciated and surprisingly good, although the true joys are the twin guitarists utilising their skills to the fullest extent to provide an album with a melodiousness that belies its virtuosity.

An excellent debut that will be appreciated both the technical crowd and the everyday fan.

Contact: http://www.thoughtsbetrayed.com

(article published 27/4/2008)