underOATH � The Changing of Times
Label: Solid State Records
Rating: 
 

"The Changing of Times" is an appropriate title for this CD since the band seems to want to bridge the gap between the modern rock sound of the 90's with the hardcore influenced nu-metal that has taken over the rock world as of late. Ultimately, it makes for a rather schizophrenic album where the band sounds like they can't decide which musical direction to go in. The album opener "When the Sun Sleeps" sounds like a modern rock song until the vocals kick in full scream in a hardcore fashion. Sure they are offset by some smooth and melodic vocals but the primal screams don't really seem to the fit the song, the band would have been better off using the more melodic vocals as the primary vocal. Track two "Letting Go Of Tonight" suffers the same fate, the music is just not heavy enough to warrant the hardcore screaming vocals. It sounds like the band went into the studio to record one album and then vocalist Dallas Taylor went in to record a totally different CD. 

But they do get it right starting with track three, "A Message For Adrienne" where the music is more in step with the vocal treatment. Overall, the heavier songs are more in character where the other half of the disc seems a bit misguided with vocalist Dallas Taylor trying to carry the tunes with his hardcore screams where the more melodic vocals evident here would have been a better way to go. Then again, some might find this combination compelling, you will have to decide for yourself if it works for you.