Prepare to crank up the circle pits, music fans; if there is a word to describe Realeyes’ 5-track EP American Ritual, it would be “metal.”
Throw “aggressive,” “angry,” “brutal” and “driving” into the mix, and you have a taste of what the Middle Tennessee band is all about.
The source of the vocalist’s anger may not be totally discernible on first listen, as Chad Callis employs a technique known in music theory circles as “Cookie Monster vocals,” where a heavy metal vocalist growls in a similar manner to the Cookie Monster fiending for some of those sweet cookies in a most tortured, uncontrollable fit of rage.
I’m still stuck here! he bellows over very tight double bass drums clicking along, and ultra-distorted guitars shredding.
The band doesn’t play constant blast beats, boasting some nice precision and experimentation, and often invites a slow, grooving nod rather than spine-shattering headbanging. But the vocals rarely vary from full-throttle and furious (aside from some chanting on “How Charming, Technology” and a few other spoken-type sections sprinkled in), and some listeners may not be able to get past the barrage of in-your-face, death-growl vocals.
“Beautillion Ball” begins with a very beautiful, atmospheric change of pace, but after a minute-long intro, it’s back to the growl. The vocals here don’t seem to match the very gentle and chilling delay effect on the song.
Again, the Realeyes players put forth some well-thought-out passages and precise figures in the music. The quick, nifty little intro to “Rotten Conversation,” may be enough to earn the “experimental” tag.
There is certainly some skill and energy there, and the occasional creative riff will snatch the listener’s attention, but there is not a huge difference between the sounds of Realeyes and the legion of other metal groups out there inciting moshing and devil horns in the air. Ultimately, the American Ritual release is full of thrashing passages and ride-cymbal breakdowns in the vein of Lamb of God and other such practitioners of modern metal mayhem, and is something the Middle Tennessee heavy metal fan will find to be worth checking out.
For more on the band, visit realeyesband.bandcamp.com.
