Rough Edge: Scars of Tomorrow CD Reviews

SCARS OF TOMORROW

"The Failure in Drowning" (Victory; 2006)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Southern California metalcore stalwarts Scars of Tomorrow return with "The Failure of Drowning," a well-manicured 11-track metalcore affair full of seething riffs and scornful lyrics.

Songs like "The Unwinding" illuminate the band's undeniable love of the chunky riff, while "Relive the Curse" and "The Silence of Sorrow" get the pit going with staccato headbanging riffs.

For more information visit http://www.scarsoftomorrow.net.

"Design Your Fate" (Thorp Records; 2003)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

During my tenure with Rough Edge I have often been afforded the opportunity to review bands that I have not heard of or with whom I am only vaguely familiar via news reports across the 'net. Sometimes these opportunities result in searching for good things to say about an otherwise plodding disc and sometimes, albeit rarely, it results with the pleasure of being surprised by a band's confidence and exciting delivery. Scars Of Tomorrow's "Design Your Fate" is one of those rare opportunities.

Scars Of Tomorrow is similar to God Forbid but added with a heavy, nu-metalish sound (think Skinlab at their most aggressive) atop the American melodic death metal style as if the hardcore origins were obscured by originality. Hardcore/metalcore breakdowns permeate the nine songs on "Design Your Fate," but in a manner that accents, rather than detracts, from the band’s melded stylistic tour de force.

The band's lyrics deal more with the human condition and its response to tough situations. These lyrics are thought-provoking without being too specific -- the abstractness of the lyrics is a positive (one of many) throughout "Design Your Fate."

With "Design Your Fate," Scars Of Tomorrow shows a lot of promise and I can't wait to hear what they accomplish with their next musical effort.

"Design Your Fate" was produced by Scars Of Tomorrow and recorded by Beau Burchell. The artwork is minimal, but stark. The folks at Thorp Records have a sharp eye for intriguing artwork.

Scars Of Tomorrow: Mike Milford on vocals, Carlos Garcia and Mike Madariaga on guitars, Robert Bradley on bass, and Ruben Martinez on drums.

For more information visit http://www.scarsoftomorrow.net.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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