Dead Poetic - Four Wall Blackmail
Album Review
By: Marcus Owens

Dead Poetic's debut release, "Four Wall Blackmail," is a forty-minute sonic cornucopia. Traveling from soft beckoning crooning to all out shriek in only a few seconds, the album is full of contrast. A slight departure from their early independent EP, 4WB opts for more of a melodic pleading tone as opposed to the EP's "grab the listener by the ears and shake" approach. While the quartet has not totally abandoned their searing screaming sound for acoustic guitars, bongos and a xylophone, 4WB is decidedly easier on the ears than the band's previous endeavors. Not to disappoint long-time fans, 4WB delicately blends soaring, clean vocals-oftentimes reminiscent of P.O.D.--with coarse, angst-ridden screams-often singing the same line in "harmony." Though the harder songs can sound a bit formulaic and repetitive at points, the overall picture of both the album and the individual songs is impressive. The band's musical prowess shines in the well-constructed harmonies on the sole acoustic track "Bliss Tearing Eyes," and the unconventional rhythm guitar and vocal-mirroring bass on the title track. Dead Poetic's talent truly shines in their lyrics. Whether screamed, sung, or whispered, 4WB's lyrics show a band maturing quickly with a firm understanding of their place in the world and their place with God. Despite their Christian basis, look for 4WB to be very accessible to secular audiences, as their pleading vocals and powerful, mainstream friendly guitar, bass and drum arrangements are catchy and merit-worthy, regardless of creed.

-Marcus Owens
bandchat.org Correspondent

-For more information on DEAD POETIC, visit their webpage at http://www.deadpoetic.com