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Band Name: Within Tears
Demo Title: Moments of Life Chapter 1 Band Members: Anthony Lauer: bass, keyboards, programming/sequencing, lyrics, arrangements; Sal Sgroi: vocals, lyrics, arrangements; Barbara Nolan: vocals; Andrew K: drum machine Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. Rating: 3 Skulls
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Martyr's Review:
Just hearing the first minute of this demo with its heavy, slow, soul crushing chords made me wonder why Within Tears isn't around anymore. I had given up hope on ever hearing a demo that wasn't metal-core, amateur or unworthy of label status, but this band seems like it has great potential and pretty much proved that there is still a small stream of quality metal out there. With a solid demo, my inspiration for writing itself has been renewed even though this band has been MIA for four years. The fact that this demo came out so long ago got me wondering what their demise was. Was there a falling out? Loss of interest? Maybe it was due to the fact that they didn't have a real drummer. There isn't even an accessible website or contact. I wrote an email to these dudes and haven't gotten a response. This is me, frustrated.Enough about the elusive topic of "where are they now?" Let's conquer the burning question at hand. How do these guys sound? For one, they capture dankness, darkness and a certain desperate shade of agony. You may be vaguely reminded of early My Dying Bride, in their more aggressive moments, and newer MDB in their mellower moments. All in all this is a very down-tuned, depressing epic. Although the clean male vocal tracks aren't very polished and, at times, too emotional for comfort and enjoyment, the low growls and soft whispers are completely suited to the music with their sense of controlled animosity. Very delicate female vocals are used here and there, but are in no way too warbling or over-accentuated, they stay quite monotone and subdued. The highlight of this album would have to be Anthony Lauer's guitar work on this album. His solos are very smooth, sorrowful and have killer character. Also, his heavy and doom-laden riffs are refined and definitely tell a sad story.
Now we reach the downside to this demo. The fact that a drum machine is used on this album really sucks, there is no way around that. Having a drum machine on a doom album is like trying to mix oil and water, you just shouldn't do it. You need a sharp organic sound with a certain hollowness to it. Another thought, maybe if the vocalist of this album didn't try to emulate Peter Steele (or almost start crying on track 4, "Empty") this demo could have been their big breakthrough. Given its place in time in 2001, I can see why it didn't get too much recognition, but if it had come out say, seven years prior, it would have been a whole different ballgame. This demo would definitely be worth sending to a label, given its amazing potential. Let's hope that this project resurfaces, even if disguised in another form.
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