10 Years is a band that recently formed, and they have produced their first CD, entitled "The Autumn Effect". While their influences make them sound like Staind, Tool and Breaking Benjamin, these guys combine the best of those elements to create a new and unique nu-metal sound that shows better sides of the o-so-hated genre. While the vocals are done well, the guitar could use some solos (as the most case with all nu-metal bands). I have gotten a chill that sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to this album. That is how good it is. It is on par with Mudvayne’s L.D. 50, if you were to compare the start times of artists.
They released this CD in August of 2005, so it has been around a little while. The band formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2003, and released an independent release, entitled Killing All That Holds You. This is their first CD on a major record.
10 Years is:
JESSE HASEK-Vocals
BRIAN VODINH-Drums
RYAN "TATER" JOHNSON-Guitars
MATT WANTLAND-Guitars
LEWIS COSBY-Bass
Waking Up starts us off, and let me say that there couldn't be a better album opener. The lyrics describe the song perfectly, saying that he is reaching out to get something or someone. It starts with a recording of the song that rewinds into the song. You will have to listen to this song if you know what I am trying to say. It is very well done. At the first glance at the hearing of the guitars, it could be a punk band, but it is not. Jesse does some excellent singing in this song.
Fault Line has a very catchy intro to it, and it is done well. The only problem with this song, is that the ending wasn't what I thought it would be like. The chorus includes the lyrics, "Killing all that holds you" and this is what their other release was based off of. Jesse does great singing, and the chorus with the guitar will get stuck in you head. The next song,
The Recipe has a punk intro to it, and the band then comes in. It sound really minor, but the chords flow well and as usual, the excellent vocals always add to the song.
Cast It Out is a great example of a punk song. The lyrics are good and he gets his point across. The guitar gets really easy in this song and kind of gets repetitive. After the song ends, there is a great build up to the next song. This is where the Tool influences start to show. The build up's on this CD are great, and make me want to experiment with my guitar more often and make something on the spot (I usually play in drop Db, what these guys play, or everything tuned down a half step. The EbAbDb, you get the picture, I will shut up now). Anyway back to the review. The guitar in the build up is very soft and progressive. It leads into the first single and easily their best song, entitled
Wasteland. It is talking about coming clean off of heroine, and it is sung extremely well. Everything about this song is perfect. I can say WOW to this song many, many times. It is like God Himself created this song, and meant for it to be. If you have heard the acoustic version, than good for you. If you haven't, then shame on you until you do (it is on iTunes, in their acoustic live performance). After this wonderful song,
Seasons to Cycles is next. It is the only acoustic song on the CD, but is done very well, even getting some violins in there. It starts to wear out near the end, but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Good acoustic song.
Half Life is the song by this band that can get things rocking. This is where the Breaking Benjamin influences start to show up. It is very well done. The distortion on the guitar holds this song across. It also shows some Tool with the cool guitar effects.
Through the Iris is the second single and a pretty good song overall. It is talking about religion, I believe. The guitar is very well used in this song. Although there are no solos in this song, the guitar just adds to the effect in the song. It starts to get repetitive after a while. The bridge is the closest you will find to a solo in this song. After the song ends, you get another taste of Progressive music, and the Tool influences show strong. The bass is audible in the interlude of soft and relaxing music. It leads into
Empires, which is another song that sounds like Tool. The chorus is the loudest part of the song, and is sung well. The drums also carry the song very well.
Prey is the shortest song on the CD, but definitely not the worst. The chorus is really cool and will get stuck in your head. The guitar helps with that. This is a song where Jesse shines with his singing.
Insects has a very soft intro to it, and sounds almost like a punk intro until the band kicks in. The chorus is also very catchy and will have you singing along with him. The verses are softly sung. The transition between the verse and the chorus is incredible. The end of the song isn’t necessarily a Tool inspired interlude, but it leads very well into the next song.
Paralyzing Kings is a Breaking Benjamin style of intro, and so is the chorus of the song. It is sung very well. The guitar can be recycled in this song, but it doesn’t get overplayed. It fits in well. The last song on the CD is very much like Wasteland. It is called
The Autumn Effect. It is the title track. I can say WOW, to it and be amazed at the talent that these guys have. It is a mix between Breaking Benjamin and Tool. It is the longest song at 9:32. This is the second best song, if not the best song on the CD. After 4 and a half minutes, it goes into a Tool inspired outro for the ending of this marvelous song and CD.
Pros
Jesse's singing
Cool melodies to transition songs
Band’s performance as a whole
Cons
It is nu-metal
Almost no solos
Songs start to sound very similar after a number of listens, but still sound different.
Recommended songs
Waking Up
Fault Line
Wasteland
Prey
Insects
The Autumn Effect
I give this album a 5/5. I have enjoyed every part of it. If you like nu-metal or alternative rock, get this. It is still a must have for anybody. There is no screaming and the vocals are very well done.
