Artist: Beneath the Surface

CD Review

Label: Self Produced

by Caren Spitler

…And from the Devil's cauldron arose a volcanic eruption of liquid iron. Sound-scapes of scorched metal ignited the air and there was a Rising from Beneath the Surface.

We can welcome a new band to the hard-core scene. Beneath the Surface enters the metal arena with their EP Rising. This band is off to a great start showing the promise of greatness to come. In five tracks the band puts on their 'game face' and shows you what they are about. This team of metal warriors is comprised of Scotty Cardoza (vocals), Gabriel Cardoza (vocals), Kevin McCue (bass), Jeff LaBarge (guitars), and Doug Baker (drums). These five guys from Northern California are poised to slam down their iron-fisted wrath upon the world.

The first track titled "Game Day" opens with acid-laced guitar riffs, while a vocal line builds underneath - it's the silence before the storm. Just then hits the wrath of thunder when the drums kick in, cracking the mercuric sky and causing a cataclysmic downpour. While this track is far form being a new invention in musical sound, it is done well and with great passion. The drum work in this song is just this side of true perfection.

They did break one of cardinal rule by placing a signature at the end of the song calling out the band's name and the year. This tactic doesn't seem to go over well in general, most likely because Limp Bizkit used it often (kiss of death). Also proclaiming the year in a song usually only serves to date it later. Making it less timeless. But this won't break the band, they are too good for that.

Track two, "Diseased" ushers in on what seems to be a low howling wind before it locks into a firing squad death march. The words have a duality to them. This is a lyrical two-sided coin appearing to take on classic metal themes of good and evil when face up, and going deeper into the subjects of war, Nationalism, and global corruption when face down. The themes are fitting within the oppressive nature of the song. On this track, Beneath the Surface also prove that Nu-Metal has not left the classic "guitar solo" dead and buried. Jeff dives fearlessly into a brave and brilliant solo near the end of this track. This clean axe work is as precise as cutting steel.

"Hell's Commandments" is more in the vein of metal from back in the day, with a fresh updated approach. Echoing their heavy-metal forefathers, you expect to hear something you've already heard before for just a moment. This tune has lyrics Ozzy Osbourne could be proud of.

"Solution" turns self-loathing into a personal sport with lyrics like "This time I won't respect you, or scream of suicide. I have no patience left and I just wish that you, would, die!" The guys from Beneath the Surface better watch out, if they aren't careful, Static-X might steal that one and put it to a disco beat.

The concluding track "Fool" probably the most foreboding song on the EP. Its one mean and meaty metallic blast of molten fury. Lots of low end and heavy guitar give the tune a sonically suppressive weight.

Paying the devil his due like any good metal band, Beneath the Surface is loaded with some tasty guitar moments, a plethora of explosive drums, bone-rattling bass lines and some volatile vocal deliveries. The overall quality of the demo is fairly good, although the vocals could be a bit more up front and in less competition with the guitar. Scotty and Gabriel, the team of brothers who handle the vocals, offer you sounds that range from unsettling guttural howls to reverberating hard-core croon. It might be nice to hear them a tiny bit better. That’s a small thing, and doesn't interfere with the overall impact of the band.

If you need a frame of reference to decide if this is a band worth checking out, some songs have a feel similar to bands like Soulfly and Slipknot on the newer end, and Sabbath and some Metallica of the more classic genre. But don't go in thinking that's just what they sound like. Those moments are subtle, fleeting flavors and the band has its own take on the heavy sound. If you want to see for yourself, go to their site and check out the sound files. Two of the tracks from the EP are there, as well as some other totally tasty sound bites from the band. beneathmusic.com

Now get out of here and ROCK the HELL ON, metal heads!