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Release Date: May 15, 2007 Label: Rise Records Related Sites: · Official Site Grade: B+

It's that slightly unrefined energy that sparks the ten songs on Before Their Eyes. "City in a Snow Globe" opens the disc with a Linkin Park-like guitar riff and progresses to a faster pace that lulls you into the sense that it's straight-up rock, until that first screamed word makes way for chugging guitars toward its conclusion. Thematically it introduces a concept that will be visited often throughout many of the tracks, that of finding oneself heading in the wrong direction and a reversing that path, ostensibly toward God ("I've tried running but I can't escape from you in my memories/It's what kills me slowly/You kill me slowly with the way").

Before Their Eyes consists of Nick Moore (vocals), Nathan Warren (bass), Jarrett Hoffman (drums), and Brenden Zapp (guitar), with Cory Ridenour (guitar) now a member of the group (not pictured).

Vocalist Nick Moore alternates -- sometimes alarmingly -- from a pure pop voice to drop an octave or so to utter words in a low scream. That's probably why I count "You Talk a Good Game" as one of my favorites on the album because of its absence of growling. It's also just a good, speedy tune featuring distorted guitar that musically fits the attitude conveyed by its tale of a faker ("We see right through you and all of your lies/
We wrote this tune so everyone would know") who's not fooling anybody.

"This is Redemption, This is Our Lives Washed Clean" begins life as an honest-to-goodness ballad, with vocals way down in the mix before cranking it up about halfway through and presenting perhaps the most Christo-centric lyrics to be found ("And I can see a clearing/This will all come to an end/And we'll meet face to face/It will all work out in the end"). It features guest vocals by Jeremy DePoyster from label-mate The Devil Wears Prada. "Hope In Devotion" is a quiet instrumental with piano line that breaks up the album nicely.

In case you don't think they can be aggressive, just give "Crawling Towards Forgiveness" or "The Journey Down South (Starts With A 2 Step)" a spin and you'll find yourself awash in loud guitars and plenty of growling vocals. "Close Your Eyes, It's Okay To Rest Now" caps off the album with a snappy pace, plenty of screaming, and a hopeful message ("I might seem lifeless, but I'm not dead/Help me pick up the pieces, so I can find you again"). Guest vocals on this one are provided by Chris Roetter from Corsets are Cages.

"Why 6 Is Afraid Of 7" struck me as having the most in common with the motif that originated their name, a visualization of the awesomeness of an Old Testament God's power ("The sky falls down at your command/The city will roar with the sound of terror and our world will crumble at the sound of your voice"). "Shotguns Speak Louder Than Words" is a title not repeated in the song itself, but a message that circumstances can separate people but they can still have an influence on each other as they strives toward their life's goal. The screamo last verse sports an effectively growled "pray for me" that sticks in you mind and heart long after the song is over.

The artwork for the album by Derek Hess is worth mentioning, as much for its unfathomable meaning as its strange beauty. I'm not quite sure how to take the image of a person being led from a bunch of garbage cans by an small angel, at gunpoint, while casting the shadow of a cross with nail spikes scattered about. It seems like it should have a deep meaning, but it escapes me at the moment.

Before Their Eyes is melodic metalcore with the emphasis on melodic. It definitely gets crunchy and chugga-chugga in spots, but the overwhelming impression is that of an accessibility that transcends many genres. They're attention to the struggles in having a relationship with God is commendable, and makes the work stand out among many others that wallow in despair.