Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Better Left Unsaid - The Silencing - 2007 - Self Released

Track Listing 1. Never Again 2. Repletion 3. Under My Skin 4. Testify 5. Sweets 6. Impurity 7. Cold Inside

I am really starting to fully support this modern stadium metal. The whole genre is probably sparked by the likes of Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium, both bands really leading the charge for today's new generation of melodic metalheads. Beyond that I've found hope and renewed faith in bands such as Silent Civilian, Parkway Drive, Escape The Fate, and The Confession. These young bands seem to have the energy and fortitude that legendary bands like Judas Priest and Slayer have let slip away. With that being said it was with great joy that I received Better Left Unsaid's demo "The Silencing", a shiny and remarkable record that reinforces my statements above.

The band really started out as a business idea, a rather odd thing in the wacky world of heavy metal. Both Brent Terry and Jason Jones started the band with a clear vision and goal with a strong business plan to provide the groundwork. Interesting enough the band went out and got sponsors from high-dollar corporations like EMG, Dickies, and Rocket Shell Drums to name a few. Now the group have put it all together for their first release, an indy album called "The Silencing".

Fans of today's more melodic hardcore scene should find this a mandatory piece of their collection. With Jason Jones and Rob Fernandez teaming to create a firestorm of guitar brutality and melody, one simply cannot resist the band's initial grasp. Often the band strikes up a really intense groove pattern, punctuated by the soaring melodic strokes that so many bands today are using in their arsenal. Of course the group sways to some amazing heavy stomp riffs, almost machine like through their numbers. Vocalist Steve Hickman offers the normal hardcore death growl, but the real passion for me is his soulful clean singing voice, evident on the chorus parts of most songs.

The real highlight of the album is the searing opener "Never Again", which is suitable for any radio station, MTV show, or "Headbanger's Ball". The track explodes into melodic rumbles, capturing a sound similar to Cataract or Slayer with some great clean passages. "Testify" is another solid cut with it's 'core rattle and shake reminding me of Atreyu crossed with today's version of Diecast. Other notable numbers are "Repletion" and "Sweets".

The Bottom Line - Another fantastic rookie sensation that should be signing to Roadrunner or Trustkill at anytime now.



--EC 04.27.07