Review Summary: In 2010, ex A Skylit Drive/ Watchout! Theres Ghosts vocalist Jordan Blake created an incredibly catchy Post-Hardcore band that many overlooked.
This review is about 3 years late, but is one of the most overlooked, yet one of the best projects by Jordan Blake, ex A Skylit Drive vocalist.
Jordan Blake,vocalist from A Skylit Drive and Watchout! Theres Ghosts, comes back to the hardcore genre with the short-lived Trances.
After being in both bands, he decided to merge the Post-Hardcore style A Skylit Drive and blend it with Watchout! Theres Ghosts's electronic sound. The mix created a dazzling, enticing Hardcore electronic sound to give you about 15 minutes of entertainment with their debut, and only EP, The Alphament.
The Alphament starts with the song -
"A Vile Box Of Monsters"
This song shows off the high pitched vocal range that Blake possesses, and addicting guitar riffs. The screams Blake projects give the song a sense of power, and the chorus will have you mentally jumping.
"Unidentified"
This may be the catchiest song the album. The song is largely Synthesized-based, and brings melody and power to the song. The guitarists, drummer, and vocals all go along with the music and a blissful manner. This song really is an oxymoron. It is peaceful, yet the song feels as if it is on a constant peak, before going into soft synth, closing out with a harmonized breakdown and Blake screaming.
"Slave Machines"
This song starts out with Blake's heavy screaming, and powerful guitars. This song both shows off the heavier side of the band, as well as the band's ability to transition into lighter verses throughout the song, and not feel out of place. Blake reaches some of the highest pitched vocals on the album in this song, as well as his heaviest low screams.
"No Time In Ageland"
This is the only song on the album to not feature screams. The song is driven by the guitarists's catchy riffs. Jordan sings in a much more mellow tone in this song, which features a synthesized breakdown. Although the band has a heavier tone to it, it shows they can make lighter music just as well as they can make headbangers.
"Topic of Conversation ft. Aaron Pauley"
The drumming and Guitar riffs of the song stand out a lot. Blake uses emotional screams to add more depth to the song, and they work. While it is not my favorite off the album, it still shows a lot of care and work, especially with the guitar solo in the middle of the song. Much skill went into the creation of this, and Aaron Pauley of Jamie's Elsewhere screams in this song for like 10 seconds. Still good though!
All in all, the album is good. The vocals are nice, the guitars are enticing, the synthesizers are catchy, and the drummer is spot on. The songs are unique, and have much replay value. Too bad it was the only release from this band before they broke up.
