Unknown Volume II, Various Artists
Sometimes compilation CDs just aren't very good. Don't get me wrong, I think they're a more than useful tool when done well (I've put out two myself, remember?) but when they're filled with tracks which don't cut the mustard, it can be a painful and disjointed listen. Whereas Double Blind's 'Unknown' series kicked off with a half decent sampler, their second effort really suffers. Things start brightly with solid efforts from Classic Case and The Juliana Theory, but by the end you're really left reaching for the 'stop' button. I actually thought nu-metal had been re-born half way through - and that, ladies and gentlemen, is not a good thing.
This CD predominently mixes the genres we like to call emo in its different types, so you have stellar well known bands like Further Seems Forever and The Juliana Theory mixing with newer, yet impressive, acts like Classic Case and Open Hand. The unfortunate thing is mixed within the wheat is plenty of chaff. Coretez are horrific, Ringer dull as you like and Fair To Midland called rename themselves Fair To Crap. At times this compilation plunges to depths the likes of a million nu-metal bands have only ever reached - there's a middle section of this CD that is so bad it really shouldn't have escaped the cutting room floor. There are a few good moments here, but nothing to really make me want to spend money on it. Compared to Volume I, this is a real disappointment.
www.doubleblindmusic.com
Double Blind
Paul
