CoC : Drown in Hate - Promo 2007 : Review

Drown in Hate - _Promo 2007_
by: Quentin Kalis (3.5 out of 5)

Drown in Hate are brazenly using this promo to obtain a record deal. (Not that there is any other way to successfully market a brand -- and a band is a brand -- other than brazenly!) The extra-musical factors are in place: the three track CD arrives in a DVD case with biography and contact at the back, possessing an effective, if basic cover picture. Without considering the strength of the songs themselves, the production is sufficiently decent to enable an effective assessment of the band and their constituent members' above average instrumental performance. Their songs walk a tightrope between melody and brutality, never veering too far to one side, and possess a modern tone, but without borrowing unduly from nu-metal. With an average length of four minutes, they can advertise their sound without overstaying their welcome.

But the true test naturally lies in the music, and they fail, unable to fully engage the ear of the listener. The reason for this was hard to pin down: their music is not terribly original, but neither is it terribly derivative. Admittedly, some of the thrash melodies are a bit tired, but their well-placed groove is able to compensate.

A judge on one of these popular talent search programmes spoke of a mysterious "X factor" that contestants needed. Perhaps that is what is needed here, as the product is less than the sum of its parts.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/drowninhate

(article published 7/10/2007)