Way too many vocals leaves this a little unsettled
Sort of a generic "3" thrown up here for the third album from supergroup Charred Walls of the Damned. The band once again features drummer Richard Christy (Howard Stern, Death), Tim Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Steve DiGiorgio (ex-Iced Earth) and Jason Suecof (producer extraordinaire). While I didn't particularly care for the band's first two albums, this one seems less technical and punchy and more streamlined. Owens is mid to high throughout and I think that one dimensional style is a bit too much for this record. There just seems to be a whole lot of vocal notes here. There are small sections of charging rhythm guitar and doubles that leaves a thrash mark yet the band refuses to go down that road often. Instead you get more epic songs like "Lies" that just go nowhere. Props to "Afterlife", "My Eyes" and "Time Has Passed" but overall this is staccato Killswitch Engage without the aggression.