DESIGN THE SKYLINE
Nevaeh
[Victory Records]
Verdict: 4/10
DESIGN THE SKYLINE, minus all the internet hate since the band premiered their video and their “We’ve just been signed to Victory” intro video (which is absolutely horrifying) are a young band from Corpus Christi, TX that have serious identity issues. It would be easy to write a slam piece here, but i don’t think it’s necessary as it has already been said a million times over already. If you aren’t familiar, then go check out a few pictures of these kids…speaks for itself. Musically, the 10 songs that make up Nevaeh aren’t all that terrible, just a little sloppy. There are moments that make the ears perk a little, like the driving metal riff and stomp on ‘Destroyer’, but the novelty of listening wears off quickly and becomes even more annoying and boring as the album plays on. One of the 2 gruff vocalists has an absolutely annoying growl that begins to grate on the nerves to the point of irritation. The vocals have also been severely filtered and altered, meaning in a live setting they will either lip sync, or just completely blow ass. The drummer however, is without a doubt the shining star here as his drumming is precise and amazing. As a fan of heavy music in general, i appreciate bands like BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and IWRESTLEDABEARONCE that step outside of the norm and try to progress their genres. What DESIGN THE SKYLINE have managed to accomplish here is one giant clusterfuck. It jumps around with a forced feel and makes one feel like they are listening to a overly talented high school band. Nothing about the songs on Nevaeh hold any real merit or passion and that’s a sad thing. It’s the passion that makes this style of music amazing. Recently Victory Records told an amazing young Atlanta band that they sounded “too young” for them to sign them. Dismissed them. Then to hear this and know that just blows the mind. One could hope that through touring these kids find themselves and tighten up and write a real record, or that they just break up and end up another Victory Records one album fling. –by Jon Hole
