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Scratching At The Surface Event |
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Dave Deluco - Vocals Tracklisting: 01. Make Your Way
(3:07) Loops, electronica and techno-styled beats all conspire to give Event an unusual albeit refreshing bent. Opening track "Make Your Way" has great hook and loping beat, not a million miles from Nine Inch Nails, but with enough of their own stamp all over it. It's a fine opener and a whistle stop rush on to "Under My Skin", track 2 opens with a gentle acoustic guitar and quickly gives way to a slippery groove and assorted electronics popping and bleating, marvellous hook-line again here and shows that Event have a keen ear for melody as well. Vocalist Dave Deluco has a keen range from the all out to fragile and delicate, nicely underscoring Events identity. The rhythm section of Jay Rigney - Bass and Matt Scurfield - Drums is tight and concise Shaun Michaud's guitar is both intricate and pounding, but has an assured quality to sit back and let the occasional electronics/atmospherics breathe, particularly evident on the title track "Scratching At The Surface". Although Event sets-up their stall in the Prog/Metal ring don't expect flash playing (as excellent as it is here), and off-kilter time signatures. Instead Event offer a fusion of elements that become progressive in the purest sense. It takes some balls to mesh together these loose ends together into a cohesive and successful whole. Overall Event succeeds admirably. Stand out tracks? Well special mention must be given to the subtle "Into The Fray" with its effective classical guitar figures and "Pleasure In The Pain", at 4:47 the albums longest track. High pitched backing vocals give the chorus a haunting quality, distorted vocals, solid rhythm playing, guitar lines snake around samples show Event wallowing and enjoying the elements that build their musical world. Ken stuff indeed. While preferring to avoid comparisons
I am put in mind listening to this to Porcupine Tree's In Absentia album
and if you liked that album then this offers enough to be as similar as
it is different. One of those albums that rewards repeated listens and
I for one look forward to listening to Events future. Released by InsideOut Music. InsideOut Music America: http://www.insideoutmusic.com/ Review by Chris Christou |
