CoC : Burned in Effigy - Burned in Effigy : Review

Burned in Effigy - _Burned in Effigy_
(Independent, 2007)
by: Quentin Kalis (6.5 out of 10)

Key member Jared Meekhoff is ex-army, having done a tour of duty in Iraq, which has provided him with skills that he has applied to this album, specifically the art of camouflage. You see, Meekhoff indulges in the screaming style of modern metal, reminiscent of Down-era Phil Anselmo, and generally sounds like a generic "numetalcore" release. Scratch below the surface and a different album is revealed, one that suggests a metal education that did not start with _Korn_, with melodies and rhythms that one would normally expect to find on a heavy metal or thrash album. For example, "Six Days" will have an old-school thrash melody in-between shouted 'core verses, whilst "Rise" contains a riff that sounds like Black Sabbaths's "Heaven and Hell".

Once the novelty has worn off, the album's flaws become more apparent: for example, the songs are not the strongest, and individual riffs, rather than complete songs, linger in memory. Still, they do stand out, however slightly, from the overflowing modern metal crowd, and that may be enough to carry them to the next level.

Contact: http://www.burnedineffigy.com

(article published 2/7/2008)