Sometimes I just have fun with these CD reviews...

What if Paramore’s Hayley Williams screamed and had less cute hair? Well, she could probably try out for Eyes Set to Kill, the Tempe, AZ five-piece whose debut full-length Reach is out now on Break Silence Records.



Now if you'll please excuse my while I sip a little Hater-ade...

Of the bubbling pool of female-fronted rock bands (In This Moment, Kenotia, Patience, etc.), Eyes Set to Kill is certainly one of the better ones. But looking at this band it’s hard not to think they were created via some nefarious conspiracy involving Hot Topic, Fuse, and their label Koch Records (parent company to Break Silence). Led by sisters Alexia and Anissa Rodriguez, Eyes Set to Kill play a watered-down version of the metalcore / screamo those myspace kids get so moist over – I’m thinking The Devil Wears Prada, Memphis May Fire, and the like. From the perfectly placed facial piercings to the combed over hair, pouty lips, and token metal dude with full sleeves and huge plugs, Eyes Set to Kill look more like a marketing department’s master creation than a legitimate band worthy of respect, praise, and a recording contract. Maybe the record industry is folding because they keep signing bands not worth the price of admission.

Maybe?

Man this Hater-ade is tasty.



Alexia and keyboardist Brandon Anderson trade vocals in a boring call-and-response format. It seems like the two sat down with Alexia’s lyric book and decided, “OK, you sing that line, I’ll scream this line, then you sing that line, then I’ll scream this line, then I’ll sing that line…” I think you get it. Drummer Caleb Clifton would do well to lay off his double bass pedal. The kid plays like a chef who only keeps salt and pepper on his spice rack – about as flavorful as tapioca pudding. And as for the guitars, they’re typical Killswitch Engage style metalcore, nothing interesting in the slightest.

“Reach” is a predictable title track, with empowering lyrics and a doodling guitar melody you can’t get out of your head, “Violent Kiss” is at the tempo and shuffle that those two-step kids love to get down to, and “Give You my All” is your token acoustic track. Overall there is little variation in this twelve song album, little to get excited about – little substance at all.

It’s a shame, really, that "female-fronted" is getting to the point where it sounds like such a gimmick when used as a qualifier. It’s like that band Loom – am I supposed to ignore the fact that their post-ATDI indiecore is rather generic simply because they incorporate a violin in their music? Likewise, am I to ignore the fact that Eyes Set to Kill is rather generic screamo simply because they feature two rather attractive females?

But then again you know me – steady sippin' on some Hater-ade. Take it as you will.