Italian newcomers Signs Preyer are genre-hopping so much that I don't know if they are metal or rock, but hey, it really does not matter if they deliver, right?! With their self-titled debut full length album, they manage to deliver quite some, indeed. And while the band is listed on Encyclopaedia Metallum, so shall they be listed here, too.

The band's musical concoction tastes much more North American than Italian. Ingredients in various amounts included are groove metal, sludge metal, heavy metal, hardcore punk, stoner rock, grunge rock and maybe a load of other constituents, but the aforementioned are the biggest in percentage. While Signs Preyer do incorporate many styles, still the album sounds coherent. The band portray many feelings through their performance, from anger to melancholy and to pleasure. There are chops, groove and darkness, all nicely side by side, or even together. However, all this diversity wasn't at all clearly apparent during first few listenings, but the album really opened up to be an interesting trip through many landscapes.

I shall list some bands from various genres of metal and rock music briefly. If you think those kind of stuff would actually sound ace mixed together, then I courage you to pick up this album. But please do understand, that the elements reminding of some band isn't happening all the time or throughout the album. These bands just come to my mind at some points when listening to this. Okay, here goes the name-dropping: Iron Maiden (okay, I got you interested now???), Biohazard, Black Label Society, Corrosion Of Conformity, M.O.D., Godsmack, Alice In Chains, Helmet and about one hundred more, that I'm not going to list. The band's title track must have a tribute to Iron Maiden's 'Running Free' on it. 'Bitch Witch' strongly reminds of Alice In Chains' 'Facelift' era (1990). The album's ball-crushing king riff is the starting/main riff of 'Killer Instinct'.

It's not that I wanted the band to fire on all cylinders all the time, but there is one thing that damages the power that they could have been able to perform with: Rhythm guitar sounds somewhat lame, especially when compared to pounding drums and bass guitar. It is mixed in with lower volume for some reason. Also its tone is quite tame, not ripping at all. With a slight change this could have been so much more powerful album! The playing itself, on all instruments, is fine, energetic and diverse in styles. The lyrical theme is growing through suffering in life. Acting stupid, having bad relationships and such can make one stronger. Nothing new, eh? But still, the lyrics are pretty unique at times. The vocalist sounds like a more "normal" version of Zakk Wylde, nothing so unique. Could have been more powerful, too. The last track on CD is actually 9 minutes longer, thanks to this "funny" thing: The same song plays in much slower pace... I have always hated these so called jokes at the end of CDs.

So, Signs Preyer came and delivered, offering good moments of rock 'n' roll. With all familiar bits and pieces the album contains, it still does sound kind of fresh, but still so timeless. Or should I say, so 1990s. Anyway, if you have time and will to check out new bands, then Signs Preyer should be one of them, if you want darker rock.

Rating: 6½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
07/29/2012 14:20