If they had different vocals I would have loved this stuff. The music is melodic hardcore with a kick in the ass, but the screech and cry of the vocals just didn't blend well with the fiery drive of the music. They both seemed to meet each other halfway and group from there, but with music this tight, it shouldn't have to compromise for the vocals. There were some good cuts on the disc that I could tolerate ("Narrative of Soul Against Soul," "The Prayer Position," and "Weathered Tome"). Not that they were anything different, because the vocals were the same, but the music seemed to accept them more and blended nicely, masking the imperfections of the vocals. But, the rest just weren't as lucky.

Their blend of hardcore is quite good, but the vocals just don't do the music justice. Under other circumstances I could really get into the disc, but with these vocals I just couldn't do it. I'll give the album a C.

A.C.: It Just Gets Worse

A.R.E. Weapons: A.R.E. Weapons

[Issue Twenty-Two // August 1999]