Search - Seemless :: What Have We Become

Kenneth W. (Eyesore) from TAUNTON, MA
Reviewed on 12/4/2007...

I always find it odd when a band finally hits "the big time" and key band members quit. Back in 1998 Kilgore, formerly known as Kilgore Smudge (and Stain, and Smudge before that), released A Search For Reason; the album took off, landing the band a slot on Ozzfest, giving them a quickly multiplying fan base. Then, after seven years, as the band was on the rise, vocalist Jay Berndt abruptly quit the band. Kilgore's days were over.

Similarly, Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage followed a similar path. After the band hit it big with Alive Or Just Breathing, he abruptly quit the band in 2002. Killswitch Engage carried on, tapping Howard Jones of Blood Has Been Shed to take up the (inferior) vocal slot. Jesse Leach resurfaced a few years later in Seemless, a band featuring ex-members of Shadows Fall, Overcast, and another ex-Killswitch Engage alum, singing on their self-titled debut album.

The band follows a similar path tread previously by Only Living Witness, a cited influence. They combine hardcore and groovy rock riffs that often border on stoner rock. Vocally, Jesse Leach only touches on his previous metalcore style, opting here for a soaring, cleaner tone. The debut was already written when Leach joined the band; What Have We Become is the band's first collaborative effort with Leach. This album is heavier than the last, more raw, but still groovy as hell with a hardcore sensibility; evident on tracks like "In My Blood," "Cast No Shadow," and "Seven." A good dose of melody accompanies "Eyes Of A Child," "Parody" and the album closer, "...Things Fall Apart."

What Have We Become is another great album that just falls short of the greatness showcased on the debut. However, there's nary a reason to not check this one out.

Website: http://www.seemlessband.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/seemless

What a great band!

blackmetal1 | Baldwinsville, NY United States | 09/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This a great album for people who are into an uptempo sludge album. Some of the riffs sound like they're are coming straight out of the swamps of Louisiana, while the vocals take you on a different trip. The whole experience is overwhelming. Check them out if you like stoner, grunge, or sludge."

I'd say three and a half too, but since the last guy agrees

redefine magazine | seattle, wa | 12/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Opinions on the first self-titled release by Seemless were polarized. Fans loved it, while reviewers in general could not understand it or get into it. They wrote it off as nu-metal that was trying too hard to imitate the past.



With Seemless' second album, What Have We Become, the band once again is labeled as one with no care for the current state of rock n' roll. Well, this reviewer welcomes this album, solely because Seemless plays rock n' roll that is quite unlike what you'd hear on the mainstream radio these days.



But don't get me wrong: this album is polished to a shine, and it definitely would sound perfectly at home on the corniest of cloned radio stations. But if you consider Seemless to be a replacement for Audioslave - since Audioslave has turned musically retarded and decided to become motivational speakers singing feel-good songs like "Be Yourself" - it's obvious that Seemless is a huge improvement from what's popular right now.

Featuring former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach and drummer Derek Kerswill, one would probably expect the music to be somewhat similar. This is not the case whatsoever. Seemless is much less heavy, features more blues rock riffs, and is most accurately described as a blend of Killswitch Engage's grittiness and commercial-friendly radio rock.



It is to be lauded that the band places heavy emphasis in their roots and draws upon classic bands like Led Zeppelin. More modern influences from grunge bands, such as Soundgarden, are evident as well. But even though the record label would like you to believe it, the truth is that Seemless is nothing brand new. They just play a style of old-school rock n' roll that is slowly making its way back and exercising power over the current state of nu-metal trash.



- VIVIAN HUA"