Octaves - Greener Pastures - CD (2010)

Labels: Hotfoot Records
Review by: Stuart Bartlett

Octaves are a Metalcore band from Balitmore, MD”¦when I say Metalcore don’t be put off though. These
guys have taken their influences from some absolute killer bands like, Drowningman, Dillinger Escape Plan
and apparently PG.99 (according to the press release anyways). This release instantly hits you from the get go,
but unfortunately for whatever reason they have a guest singer on the first track, Allyson Little, which sounds
completely out of place. But do persevere as what you get is: Octaves hitting home with 8 Tracks of lurching
riffs, teetering on the brink before pulling you back with that well known twiddly tech structure. Mixed into this
is a rather downtrodden, depressive feel to the tracks, for example on Be Angry At The Sun For Setting On
A Set Of Sons. The vocals have a strong presence, they aren’t ever present and are mixed well into the overall
song, not to distract but to complement the overall tone. The cover art works well with the title of the record,
but the overall package isn’t much to write home about. This is probably one of the first new wave of metalcore
bands I’ve actually been able to sit and enjoy, fully recommend for fans of the old RevHq etc…