Inner Surge

Reviewed: "An Offering" CD

I should stress that before you read this review, I have absolutely no idea in what order the tracks of this album are supposed to be played in - the tracks I received were unnumbered, so this review is based on listening to the album alphabetically, rather than numerically.

Anyway, numbering aside, Canadian rockers Inner Surge serve up a nice chunk of brutal, experimental, contemporary metal, with the very modern screamie bit / quiet bit format of songwriting going on. Think Tool at their angriest, mixed up with some *shudder* emo infused slower / talkie bits and you kind of get the picture.

The songs are very epic and larger than life, with each song seeming to have some kind of very important message that needs screaming to the world - although for my life of me I have no idea what the songs are actually about, but they certainly seem intense.

There are some great little sparks of originality throughout the album that sneak up and bite you on the ass when you least expect it, and this is what really sets Inner Surge apart from a lot of the tried-and-tested metal that's kicking around nowadays.

Standout tracks include the opening track (well, its the opening track on my version!) "The Monroe Doctrine" with its almost grindcore sounding riffs and SOAD infused verses and the dirgy rockiness of "From the Depths".

Overall? Good, solid metal, with loads of great ideas. Check 'em out for something a bit different.

Reviewed by DC

Contact: www.innersurge.com