Post by jptheprofessor on Jul 14, 2008 14:29:44 GMT -5
RECOIL – RECOIL (no label) Formed three years ago, Bloomsburg foursome Recoil blends heavy progressive-geared modern rock with melody and aggression on their self-titled debut. Singer/guitarist Dustin Dillman, guitarist Kent Reinford, bassist Mark Sheaman and drummer Jim Earnest introduce a sound frequently rooted in Tool. The rhythms and arrangements are busy, and Dustin’s soaring voice and tense style often suggest Maynard James Keenan. But while Recoil wears the influence of Tool on their sleeve, they wear it well. The songs are captivating, with cerebral and visceral lyrics that explore dark emotions and mental tug-of-wars. Mind control appears to be a prominent theme, surfacing on the angry “Sheep,” the rhythm-driven “Zealot,” the sullen “Sea of Tranquility,” the defiant “Tourniquet” and the fiery closer “Ogopogo.” “Denial, Anger, Acceptance” and “Ever Still, Ever Forward” offer more confrontational themes, while the volatile album opener “Hypoxia” displays a more anxious tone. Recoil executes their song material with precision and intensity, and understands the dynamics of tension and release in their arrangements and presentation. Recorded at Zaring Productions in Middleburg and produced by the band and Joshua Zaring, the album sounds crisp and powerful, with the rhythms and chords coming through forcefully, and Dustin’s vocals up front and center. While Recoil operates under Tool’s shadow on their debut, the group’s intensity and knacks for melody and lyrical substance puts at least some distance between them and blatant Tool mimicry. (The CD can be purchased through Recoil’s Myspace website, www.myspace.com/recoil000001.)