A Colf Paradise : "s/t"

The opening track of this project's self-titled debut was deceptive, as it led me to believe this album would be paying tribute to an era of industrial music I was waiting to hear make a comeback, as it blends hooky 90s elements to recall bands like God Lives Underwater and Stabbing Westward, who were always more rock-coded. This is much slicker, production-wise, and finds an electronic bounce that moves the song. There are crunching dub-step elements, and truth be told if you ask AI to make industrial, that is what happens, so it raises a suspicious eyebrow, but letting it slide til prvoen different. 'Are You Holding Me Back" feels more like a BTS ni- netal power ballad. The vocals do manage to soar a bit.

"The Prettiest Girl in the World" is pretty stupid lyrically and feels like another K-pop anthem. Even nailing the falsetto notes and ripping guitar solos do not make up for this.  Their brand of power-metal is too happy for me, as the more electronic-tinged guise slips away. "Once Upon a Dream' relies too much on pop and country sounds, as the album begins to lose focus. The electronic elements creep back on "Is it Really Over".This feels more true to who they are, as it does not feel like they are trying too hard. The chorus is too anthemic as it loses the needed edge. 

"Kill U Sofly" proves that just because you bring in harsher vocals does not make it metal. Especially if things are too bright and not aggressive enough. They want to bring metalcore into the equation on "Impatient," but it does not take.  More in-your-face pop aspiration combats the palm-muted chugs on "Talking to the Moon" / The chord progression continues to be too bright. The bass line drives"Waking Up," which could be the entrance music for a briging good guy on Monday Night Raw. The last song, "Your Lullaby," literally put me to sleep, so I guess it was a success. I will give this a 7; I think they could have more conceptual continuity, but it sounds good, just too happy and not aggressive neough to be metal.  

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