Review: Glass Casket - We Are Gathered Here Today...

artist: glass casket album: we are gathered here today... label: abacus recordings released: february 2004 by: rob tatum I don’t think that I have really heard many technical metalcore bands that I can tolerate outside of Botch and the Dillinger Escape Plan, but I have to say that Glass Casket is breath of fresh air on the genre. We are gathered here today… is a decent effort from this up and coming North Carolina band and should definitely draw some attention to the band. For those of you who are into this genre, this is something you need to check out, and if you have never gotten into this sort of music, this is a good way to start out. From the onset, this album punishes your ear drums with blistering riffs and blast beats. Normally that is something that turns me away, but Glass Casket pulls it off really well and the songs are tied together nicely. The problem I usually have with this genre of music is that the songs are too chaotic and hard to follow, but that’s not the case with this album. If it’s possible for songs from this genre to flow, then it happens on this record. Aside form the fast-paced parts of the album, the band exhibits quality musicianship and a great deal of energy in their music. Vocalist Adam Cody’s voice reminds me a lot of Tommy from Between the Buried and Me, but maybe with a little more emphasis on the hardcore vocals and less on the death metal stuff. The songs are fairly well organized and easier to follow than most bands playing this style of music. To be honest, I didn’t mind listening to this record. That’s saying a lot because I normally would toss albums from this genre to the side. It’s consistent from start to finish and although it runs together at times, it keeps the listener entertained. If Glass Casket can continue to put together efforts such as this, there should only be good things in store for them. favorite song: "chew your fingers" rating: 83%/100% listen to glass casket