The Demo Review:
Band Name: Cradle to Grave
Demo Title: Lifespan Sessions 2003
Band Members: Greg Cavanagh - Vocals, Denis Barthe - Guitars, Eric Green - Bass, Matt Fowler - Drums
Location: B.C., Canada

Rating: 2 Skulls

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    • Equinox's Review:
    Lifespan Sessions 2003 is the newest demo offering from Canadian foursome Cradle To Grave. Upon listening to the disc, it is a tough one to review. I can't really describe the band's sound, as they seem to change from song to song, but a few common denominators of Cradle To Grave's sound are loud but not overly heavy or crunchy guitars, sparse drumming and growled lead vocals, at times very Pantera-esque, and a bit too strained. Most of the time it sounds like the vocals are sung through clenched teeth, and this takes a lot away from the power of the singing parts.

    The five songs on this demo present quite an array of styles, but none of them sound as if they have had time to set or develop. The opener "Nuclear Flowers" starts off with a semi-doomy sounding riff not unlike Solitude Aeturnus or Sorrow (or even Spinal Tap), then somehow turns into a Bee Gees tune halfway through, courtesy of a very out of place vocal effect. After the disco, it's back to the slow stuff, but the doom parts here don't sound as lush as they could.

    "Shut My Eyes" is next, and a bit better than the opener, possessing a more upbeat and almost punk feel. Clocking in at well under two minutes, this track stays in one genre from start to finish, which cannot be said for the rest of the songs. The next track "Southern Oak" presents the third stylistic change in three songs, as this tune has some Southern swagger to it and also has a 1960's American classic rock undertone. This one is probably the best of the five tracks on the disk, and it seems that Cradle To Grave play this type of music with more conviction than they do the other styles.

    "Just Cause" is another "retro" track, with an old sounding doomy beginning that picks up as the song develops, and "Crown of Snakes" contains a lot of different riff types, but has no real transitions. In fairness to the band, these guys had only been together for a year or so when this demo was recorded, and I am sure they are still trying to find their sound. When they find a style that clicks, they will no doubt be a much-improved band.
    2 out of 5

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