Search - Hot Cross :: Risk Revival (Dig)

My God The Guitars

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Hot Cross may most commonly be known as the band that came after Saetia, they have spent the better part of the last four years proving they are much more than just the rebound band.



And indeed they are. Hot Cross, with their previous Full Length "Crionics" and their previous EPs "Fairtrades and Fairwells" and "A New Set Of Lungs," have put out consistently challenging and interesting material. Although the group has lost one of their guitar players this time around (Josh Jakubowski instead handled production duties for the disc) one would never know a difference. Hot Cross's sound still embodies the best elements of the screamo genre (complex guitar patterns, fast speeds, impressive drumming), but there's much more than intensity going on with "Risk Revival." In fact this may be some of the first attempts to establish moody atmopsheres on a record, as seen on the doomy "Silence Is Failure." Of course they don't tread into any murky waters, and the bulk of the album is comprised of blazing hits like "Kill The Name," Rejoiner" and "Blame Truth."



Every song is an accomplishment in its own right, and for a record which spans 13 songs, it's difficult to pick out any that should have been cut from the final product. As always the guitars are the center of the sound, and Casey Boland has written more than a few amazing riffs for "Risk Revival." Not just that, but this is probably one of the most impressive and complex records to have come out thus far this year, and most of the thanks should go to him. Billy Werner, while mostly known for his shot/yell/scream vocals, makes a few bold attempts at sounding melodic, and most often they work extremely well. It's far from a mainstream appeal though, so don't worry. And the backing vocals of Borland and Matt Smith do an excellent job of creating memorable choruses ("Kill The Name") or intensifying the mood ("Blame Truth"). Greg Drudy and Smith continue to be an incredible rhythm section, and during the moments where Hot Cross isn't caught up in their blazing speeds and complex rhythms, the listener will actually get to hear how well the two can groove and accent the songs.



"Risk Revival" has already made its presence known, and this is destined to be on more than a few people's "Best of 2007" list. Amazingly enough Hot Cross have managed to keep the core sound that made them so appealing in tact, and yet expound to new areas of innovation. Most impressive. Any fans of previous output from the band are going to be more than satisfied by this offering. If they continue making records as good as this though, it's gonna be hard not to be pleased every time they put out a new album."