Artist: The Under Album: The Under EP Label: Private Pressing Website: http://www.theunderband.com Reviewer: Paulo André

Track List: 1. Vanguard 2. Antiquation 3. Lifedial 4. Tempest I love music that isn't tied to a particular genre all the way through. Nowadays the most interesting stuff is definitely happening where different styles cross over and sometimes the more diverse they are, the best they work out. The Under certainly doesn't mess around with electronica, avant-garde or free jazz but they seem to have taken great lessons from bands like Black Sabbath, Rush or even Jeff Buckley. Oh and a thousand of other bands, too. So in their self-titled debut EP, we have an ecletic mix of rock, prog, metal and punk which instantly infects your ears and makes you wish there was more. "Vanguard" opens the proceedings sounding a lot like Rush but as soon as Dan Costa's voice kicks we know we're in for a different thing that it's all theirs. He can sound melodic and even soothing one minute and punk-like angry the other. There's a sense of dynamics and lack of convention in The Under's music that gives it a rebellious edge and, to be honest, makes it ROCK. What makes this EP so damn cool though is how they can keep it up for the entire duration of it. "Antiquation", the longest track in this record, takes the angst down a notch, slows down the proceedings a bit but doesn't forget about feeling. Soundwise, these guys sound great. And then comes "LifeDial" which sounds like a heavier version of Jeff Buckley and is to my ears the highlight of the record. "Tempest" rounds things off again in a heavier and more upset tone. The sense of dynamics and cohesiveness The Under oozes shouldn't be taken lightly and is yet another reminder of how many great bands never get out of the shadow for whatever reason. I sure hope to see and listen to more from these guys. They seem to be smart, they have a great online image, their EP sounds and feels just great and they have this uncanny ability to melt every influence and come up with something decidedly their own. What more can you ask for? Band: Daniel Costa - Vocals + Guitars Jason Walker - Bass Randy Odierno - Drums