Focus Reviews

The Minor Times - Summer Of Wolves
Style: Hardcore/Metalcore
Running Time: 41 Minutes and 28 Seconds
Label: http://www.prostheticrecords.com/


Repetition, repetition, repetition did The Minor Times copy their own selves ? I could swear that the main riff used to start opener "+++" was the same riff in "Truth About Insomnia" off of their 'Chris Chambers Never Misses' Ep. Oh well, what we've got here is a mix of mathy stop start riffage with some less convenient out rhythms that rely on more melodic picking to keep the flow. Seemingly the only thing that has really changed for this band in the move from Level-Plane to Prosthetic is the production value of their album.

The first thing people will really notice about this disc is that the band has obviously had more time to do what they want, throwing into the mix some awkward experimental stuff to go along with their more precise mathy mid-paced chug. Theres not much, musically speaking here, that stands out as its own creation, relying heavily on its predecessors of the mathy/noisy hardcore genre. Certainly one can't blame them for aiming high with their music, and they do achieve quite a good slab of work that reflects those elite few bands of the past that we can all cite. To be truthful though, while being a good sophomore full length release, 'Summer Of Wolves' lacks actual song writing skills still, much like their last album 'Making Enemies'. The Minor Times throws around its weight as just an aggressive band hoping that it will carry every song, unfortunately sometimes this just doesn't work for some of these songs.

There are parts of the album that do stick out though, and not like a sore thumb, more like actual progression. When The Minor Times decides to kick into a melodic overdrive they do it well, with style and great performance sounding every bit as enthusiastic as their most aggressive moments. Middle album track 'This Is The Blues' really puts this entire CD into a new field, taking a more Poison The Wellish approach to cutting out the whole metalcore onslaught to the ears. Instead in its nearly nine minutes, you are treated to about five minutes of heavy chugging that doesn't prepare you for whats about to jump out. At the 5:16 mark a whole new Minor Times throws you for a loop adding a great keyboard line that they actually use to their benefit. Wrapping guitar lines swirl around this keyboard line that continues on through the bands "Na-na-na-na's" ending the song with a fading out that works perfectly just as the fade in did. Immediately following this song, the same old Minor Times kicks you in the face and demands that you listen to them shouting in the very Sean Ingram-y vocal styling that is delivered all throughout 'Summer Of Wolves'

All in all, 'Summer Of Wolves' displays an almost new The Minor Times that, because of a bigger budget has had more time to experiment with their music allowing new sounds and new soundscapes take control of their songs. While it doesn't always work and sometimes feels out of place or out of their comfort zone completely after their usual aggressive attacks, it still is there, and in doses feels great to hear. The only fault I can find is the sounds-like fault, way too much of it is here on this disc, like their previous. They do pull it off well, but its still unoriginal, powerful... but just unoriginal. Great disc for those seeking out aggressive hardcore and metalcore, but boring for those seeking a more varied foray into hardcore.

Score: 7/10