Artist: Poison The Well
Album: The Opposite Of December... A Season Of Seperation
Label: Trustkill Records
Tracks:
1) 12/23/93
2) A Wish For Wings That Work
3) Artists Rendering Of Me
4) Slice Paper Wrists
5) Nerdy
6) To Mandate Heaven
7) Not Within Arms Length
8) Midair Love Message
9) My Mirror No Longer Reflects
Poison The Well's first EP (Distance Only Makes The Heart Grow Fonder) is quite hard to find, without it being an import. Boasting five tracks, it was a short, sweet introduction to PTW and their Floridan Hardcore. Now, with their first full-length, they have truly shown what they're capable of. And it's truly stunning.
They somehow mix emotion with hardcore, and it throws you completely aback. Guitarists Derek Miller and Jose Martinez sound hardcore, and rarely stray from that path, but that's good, because it establishes a foundation to build the emotive lyrics that vocalist Jeffrey Moreira screams/sings/talks into the mic. Bassist Alan Landsman sounds a little distant (sound-wise) from the drummer Christopher Hornbrook, but that is also good, because otherwise, Chris wouldn't be able to pound out those fantastically fast beats.
It truly is a revolutionary album in the hardcore scene, and deserves all the praise it gets, and more.
12/23/93
This is a good starting point for the album. It's schizophrenic guitar riffs and cymbal-crazy drum beats accompany screams that could easily be mistaken for a demons. Pure hardcore.
4/5
A Wish For Wings That Work
The hook in this song lies in the middle bit, when the guitars chug along to a slow beat whilst Moriera screams about repenting for his sins, but failing, and explaing how his "wings have yet to work".
5/5
Artists Rendering Of Me
Just a generally cool song. Shows some slight emocore, Thrice-like parts, and slows things up a tad for the following song. A nice build-up.
4/5
Slice Paper Wrists
This song shows some Heavy Metal influences. The hook comes in when Moriera sings, then screams "as I ask these questions", and "I remember the day the sun went out".
4/5
Nerdy
Arguably the best song on the CD. Despite the most "emocore" of all songs, it has some lovely lyrics, and is carried through with nice riffs, and a great drum beat.
5/5
To Mandate Heaven
This song starts with such a crazy riff, and confrims the drummers love for the snare/tom/tom/floor tom fill. The sudden stop midsong lets you catch your breath, but only for a while, when it goes into a heavy riff.
4.5/5
Not Within Arms Length
This is the most boring among all tracks. It sounds good on it's own, but is pale in comparison with the rest. Not impressive and certainly not distinctive.
3/5
Midair Love Message
Things are picking up again with this biting, scathing hardcore (almost sing-along) song. A nice build-up for the build-down.
4/5
My Mirror No Longer Reflects
This starts off as a soaring, somewhat melodic hardcore song, but ultimately winds down and lets you down from the whirlwind of heavyness with a nice, gentle guitar/screaming section at the end. Perfect ending to a somewhat flawless (if a bit short) album.
5/5
Overall
Although a bit short, it is fun while it lasts. An essential record for any hardcore fan's library.
9/10