SMAXONE contains many musical elements that I would normally find offensive, but they put it to their advantage. For starters they seem to have more melodic and poppy stuff going on with some heavy parts here and there. This is a welcome change. The musical dynamics flow naturally even when the composition sports numerous changes. Fellow Danish dorks RAUNCHY fail to realize this. Somehow the vocalists keep from stepping on each other too much. Many screamo acts fail to realize this. The melodic guy sings his parts and the screamer comes in when it’s necessary (sparingly I might add). The synth sound is more appreciated and noisy. Keyboards in the context of a group like this usually marshal in said band’s downfall when the keys are too melodic. LINKIN PARK is fine example of what not to do (not to say that their DEPECHE MODE [commonly referred to as “Depressed Commode” in the DMD camp] influence is their only musical atrocity). The only polyphonic melodies here come from piano and organ sounds. A classy choice I must say.

Scarlet Records describes SMAXONE as “An incredible mix of FEAR FACTORY, DEVIN TOWNSEND and FAITH NO MORE!”. That said, it’s not hard to imagine these guys also having been influenced by the vocal harmonies of the likes of KINGS X and GALACTIC COWBOYS. They certainly convey the spirituality of the former. That’s a given. Not a bad debut for a band that’s only been together since ’03. Not perfect either, but these guys are off to a good start.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.smaxone.net

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