Album Review :
Before Their Eyes - Self Titled

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Artist: Before Their Eyes
Album: Before Their Eyes
Label: Rise Records
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Review By: Julio D. Anta

Tracklisting:
1. City In A Snow Globe
2. The Nighttime Is Our Time
3. You Talk A Good Game
4. Crawling Towards Forgiveness
5. This Is Redemption, This Is Out Lives Washed Cleaned
6. Why 6 Is Afraid Of 7
7 The Journey Down South (Starts With A 2 Step)
8. Hope In Devotion
9. Shotguns Speak Louder Than Words
10. Close Your Eyes, It’s Okay To Rest Now

Home to post-hardcore up and comers Drop Dead Gorgeous and The Devil Wears Prada come Rise Records newest signing. Based out of Findlay, Ohio, Before Their Eyes is a four piece post-hardcore/ screamo outfit who after playing just one show began recording their Self Titled debut with producer Joey Sturgis (The Devil Wears Prada).

Fit with beautiful artwork courtesy of Derek Hess depicting a man in a field of crucifixes, Before Their Eyes’ debut begins with the melodic album opener “City In A Snow Globe”. Fusing noticeable influences ranging from Underoath to Copeland, BTE creates a unique blend of brutal screams and catchy melodies right from the start. Thats what I love about Before Their Eyes. With so many influences blended into one, you never know what the next track will sound like. One minute vocalist Nick Moore will release his gut-wrenching growls in the southern chugger “The Journey Down South”. The next, he’ll be singing melodies over electronic drums and samples reminiscent to Underoath’s “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape” in their worship ballad “This Is Redemption, This Is Our Lives Washed Clean”.

As you probably noticed by that song title, Before Their Eyes is a band who isn’t afraid to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. The lines “And I can see a clearing/ This will all come to an end/ And we’ll meet face to face/ It will all work out in the end” are sung over dual vocals and seem to be about putting your trust God, while the next track is about an almost Old-Testament fear in God. “Why 6 Is Afraid Of 7” features Moore singing the lines “The sky falls down at your command/ The city will roar with the sound of terror/ And our world will crumble/ At the sound of your voice”.

Overall, take away the sometime off key vocals and this album is flawless. Each song carries into the next and keeps the energy flowing from start to finish. I really cannot recommend this band any more. If you ever have the opportunity seeing them live, before your eyes (pun intended) please do, you will not be disappointed.

9/10

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