Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Modern Day Escape Under The Gun Company: Standby Records Release: 2012 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: EC

More in a hard rock vein

Orlando's Modern Day Escape have been floating around since 2006, two releases thus far with a 2008 EP and the debut ("House Of Rats") in 2009. The band has made some changes in the last three years with new guitarist Mark Burn and ex-Black Veil Brides drummer Sandra Alvarenga. The group have been piggybacking on some fest tours, most recently with Dr. Acula, Bunny Bear and From Atlantis. That brings us full circle to the new release "Under The Gun" for Standby Records.

I've been anxiously awaiting the band's sophomore release, the debut showing me enough traits and characteristics to push the band more in a hard rock vein. My suspicions were dead on as "Under The Gun" is really motivated by modern hard rock more so than the metalcore staple of the debut. "House Of Rats" featured a lot of growling vocals mixed in with the clean singing of James Vegas. This new album is more streamlined, 90% all clean singing and less double bass and technical scale playing. We get more riffs, evident on "Life's A "Bi#tch" and it's hard rock stance that seems very trendy to a degree yet still enjoyable (perhaps this modern stuff isn't played out as much as the glam). Vocalist Vegas is very similar to Craig Mabbitt (ex-Bless The Fall, Escape The Fate), a higher register of clean singing that occasionally breaks into gang chant mode. I can hear that alt-metal diversity on strong songs like "The Syndicate" and "Feeds On The Darkside", both of which have driving rhythm and still bounce to the occasional groove. Favorite cut is "Playing Victim" with its infectious riffs and crunchy double bass.

Those of you into the likes of Falling In Reverse, Blessed By A Broken Heart and maybe the more rock oriented aspects of Atreyu should really enjoy this.