These 5 Down - These 5 Down (2000)
The first thing one will notice when listening to this new aggro-metal band is the obvious influence from and similarities to the secular band Coal Chamber. These 5 Down have achieved that intense emotional
hardcore sound like Coal Chamber only T5D do it even better!! I myself am a big fan of Coal Chamber so when I say "this is better" you are getting an honest and unbiased answer. This cd proves (without any doubt) that
bands of faith can create music equal to and better than most in the secular market. The hooks are instantly addictive and the grooves will have you moshing around your living room floor screaming along with the lyrics! On most the
verses vocalist Nate Bauman delivers an emotional barrage of intense feelings that seem to have been bottled up for quite some time and then lets all that agression out into a hardcore scream attack on the choruses (VERY well
executed I might add). Other comparisons can be made to Korn, Limp Bizkit, Travail and Sevendust but the closest is Coal Chamber. I hate to use that comparison too much because this band definitely has some originality and are NOT
a rip-off band by any means. The guitars are thick, crunchy and stinkin' heavy! There is an intense passion that is felt throughout this disc. It is very honest and open in all aspects both musically and lyrically. This was
produced by Dez Dickerson and is released on Abolute Records so that alone should be enough to tell you the production here is big, tight, crisp and overall just great! The lyric department is amazing here also. The lyrics show the
downtrodden and depressing side of life in a very mature way while offering Christ as the only way out of a miserable existence and showing the love of God as a great hope. Recommended for fans of Coal Chamber, Korn, Slipknot,
Travail, Sevendust, Soulfly, etc... -- Review by Norm