Opiate Distinctive Smile
Visible Noise TORMENT27 CD 30th September 2002
By Russell Garwood
English four piece Opiate release their debut album, Distinctive Smile, through Visible Noise on the 30th September 2002. Formed in 1998 by two friends at university, the band produced two demos before the original drummer and bassist left. The two ex-members were replaced, another demo was released and the band were signed to Visible Noise in 2002.
Opiate play reasonably heavy and dark nu-metal, with myriad other influences. Founding member Justin Muirs vocals are impressive, ranging from singing to growling and rapping. The clean vox are raw and powerful, if slightly out of tune at times, the rapping demonstrates similarities with Red Hot Chili Peppers, while the distorted vocals are more an amalgamation of hardcore and numetal shout which sometimes sounds similar to Decembers. Second founding member Iain Jamiesons grungy guitars are simplistic but effective; largely off beat they give the nu-metal feel present in most of the music, while leaving much of the melody to the vocals. Occasional acoustics provide an enjoyable contrast. The drums, courtesy of Ollie Wallace, are uncomplicated but punchy, providing the strong beat the music needs to support it. There is a notable lack of the stereotypical nu-metal tom-strong beats, setting the band apart from many of their peers, and frequent snare fills add variation. The bass by Chris Morris helps complete a direct, energetic rhythm section.
Opiates focus is more on good song-writing than technicality, and the band have succeeded - Distinctive Smile consists of thirteen catchy, memorable songs. The album opens with the Red Hot Chili Pepper-esque rapping and singing of Dysfunction, which leads into a slower crunching effort, Alone Again. Track three Your Time is more upbeat with contrasting verses and choruses, while Jah is a heavier, more hardcore-orientated song. Burn continues in a similar vein with some good distorted vocals, contrasting greatly with Drained which follows. This opens with mellow acoustic guitar and has an almost ballad-like feel to it, an atmosphere shattered by Huka Falls which is heavier but melodic. Backlash is a less original track, with wailing guitars and drums sounding like most other nu-metal bands around at the moment. Suck The Truth however, is a more innovative but still distinctly metallic song, followed by the mellow title track. This makes full use of acoustic guitar, providing a break from heavier choruses, and the interestingly titled Lal Toofan has a similar tone. Alter Ego demonstrates Chris Morris bass skills in a heavier effort, while closing track Scarred follows on directly, a relaxed melancholy finale which makes use of orchestration for the first time.
Distinctive Smile is a promising debut, the raw production helps emphasise the bands song-writing skills. Despite the diversity of their sound, Opiate stick to a formula of generally quiet verses and heavy choruses, which can begin to drag. With a little development, however, and perhaps greater experimentation and variety, the band could have a truly original sound.
Visible Noise TORMENT27 CD 30th September 2002
By Russell Garwood
English four piece Opiate release their debut album, Distinctive Smile, through Visible Noise on the 30th September 2002. Formed in 1998 by two friends at university, the band produced two demos before the original drummer and bassist left. The two ex-members were replaced, another demo was released and the band were signed to Visible Noise in 2002.
Opiate play reasonably heavy and dark nu-metal, with myriad other influences. Founding member Justin Muirs vocals are impressive, ranging from singing to growling and rapping. The clean vox are raw and powerful, if slightly out of tune at times, the rapping demonstrates similarities with Red Hot Chili Peppers, while the distorted vocals are more an amalgamation of hardcore and numetal shout which sometimes sounds similar to Decembers. Second founding member Iain Jamiesons grungy guitars are simplistic but effective; largely off beat they give the nu-metal feel present in most of the music, while leaving much of the melody to the vocals. Occasional acoustics provide an enjoyable contrast. The drums, courtesy of Ollie Wallace, are uncomplicated but punchy, providing the strong beat the music needs to support it. There is a notable lack of the stereotypical nu-metal tom-strong beats, setting the band apart from many of their peers, and frequent snare fills add variation. The bass by Chris Morris helps complete a direct, energetic rhythm section.
Opiates focus is more on good song-writing than technicality, and the band have succeeded - Distinctive Smile consists of thirteen catchy, memorable songs. The album opens with the Red Hot Chili Pepper-esque rapping and singing of Dysfunction, which leads into a slower crunching effort, Alone Again. Track three Your Time is more upbeat with contrasting verses and choruses, while Jah is a heavier, more hardcore-orientated song. Burn continues in a similar vein with some good distorted vocals, contrasting greatly with Drained which follows. This opens with mellow acoustic guitar and has an almost ballad-like feel to it, an atmosphere shattered by Huka Falls which is heavier but melodic. Backlash is a less original track, with wailing guitars and drums sounding like most other nu-metal bands around at the moment. Suck The Truth however, is a more innovative but still distinctly metallic song, followed by the mellow title track. This makes full use of acoustic guitar, providing a break from heavier choruses, and the interestingly titled Lal Toofan has a similar tone. Alter Ego demonstrates Chris Morris bass skills in a heavier effort, while closing track Scarred follows on directly, a relaxed melancholy finale which makes use of orchestration for the first time.
Distinctive Smile is a promising debut, the raw production helps emphasise the bands song-writing skills. Despite the diversity of their sound, Opiate stick to a formula of generally quiet verses and heavy choruses, which can begin to drag. With a little development, however, and perhaps greater experimentation and variety, the band could have a truly original sound.
