Artist: Only Living Witness
Label:Century Media Records
Release Date: 1995
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Innocents Artist: Only Living Witness Label:Century Media Records Release Date: 1995 Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Requiem's Review:
Easily one of the scene's most overlooked and underrated bands ever, Only Living Witness was a band that started out with metal on their minds and a solid hardcore scene to back them up. That was in the beginning. The band eventually transformed into a rock/metal hybrid that was hard to compare to any band in particular, yet could share the stage with most anyone. Innocents marks the progression of a band at its climax before the decision to call it quits. I'm not sure of the reason, but if they were still around today they'd probably be doing pretty damn well.As a four-piece act, they each carried an equal 25% of the weight, maxing out their own skills and as a single unit the chemistry couldn't be more perfect. Musically they were full of pummeling open power chords and groove laden beats that would be sure to get many a pit in full assault mode. Boston was known for some mean pits back in the day, and Only Living Witness would bring out the bloodiest. The opening riff of "Some Will Never Know" surely demonstrates this, while "Freaklaw" shows the more uppity energetic side of the story. "Total Particle Reversal" dooms out with a heavy sludge that Crowbar are well known for, and "Downpour" offered some of the bands slickest riffs ever. "Hank Crane" and "Placid Hill" show the band's soft side for almost a country music sort of vibe. But don't be scared, these tracks merely give you a breather amidst all the heaviness and fit quite well with the rest of the album.
Jonah Jenkins was the leader of the pack, and his smooth vocal tone really added what gave this band their mark. You'll be singing along to a style that Johah can call his own, as I've really never heard anyone that sounds like him. Craig Silverman had a thick-ass guitar tone that would just tear through anything. Although the band may have had some rock in them, it was Craig who brought out the metal in both tone and delivery. Almost every riff is a bonafied classic, catchy as sin and heavy as hell. Drummer Eric Stevenson held the fort down with his great sense of groove and tasteful delivery. Anyone can play a groove beat, but it's what you put into the fills and every intricate cymbal hit that really makes a difference. Bassist Chris Crowley did his part by providing the low end and slicking things up by straying slightly off the mark for contrast. Together they brought the house down in energy, heaviness and good old-fashioned fun.
In a way the band was doing what some stoner bands are doing nowadays, leaning on the heavy rock vibe - but theirs was just so genuine and ahead of its time, I sure hope most of today's rock bands are bowing down. As far as I know, the band really didn't do much proper touring, and to this day are probably only legendary in the Boston area. Even though comparisons will be miles off, I'd say fans of Crowbar, Chum or Seemless may find some satisfaction here. Some bands just never get the credit they deserve and this is one of them. Check 'em out and see what you've missed.
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