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Eyes Of Mara

Eyes Of Mara

Written by: MBC on 31/10/2014 18:24:59

Eyes Of Mara released their self-titled debut full length on Imminence Records this week. Based within a mix of modern deathcore and late 90’s/early 2000’s nu-metal, the California-based band’s approach to song writing seems to be to jam as much material into songs as possible representing various styles of metal in what ultimately becomes a big melting pot of forgettable mediocrity.

Vocalist Tyler Trainer has stated the following about this record: "We took a step back and really looked at the music we enjoy listening to and playing. We’ve all moved forward musically and wanted to bring all of our influences together to make something we thought was more true to us." Kudos to the band for having moved forward musically, but the decision to bring together all of their influences might not have been the best. Obviously Eyes Of Mara care a great deal for creating metal that is heavy and brutal, but they go back and forth between genres so much that listening to “Eyes Of Mara” becomes a nuisance rather than a joy.

The musicians in this band are actually pretty great. On this album, they display plenty of blasting bass drums, groovy riffs and vocals that keep switching between guttural growls and high-pitched screams. Thus, technically Eyes Of Mara have the tools to be an awesome band. The problem is then that they fail to utilise these tools effectively in order to create a unique and outstanding piece of art. Instead they piece together elements from various areas of rock and metal into a convoluted collection of songs that never seem to go anywhere. The Slipknot influence is clear on songs like “Vicious” and “Control”. “New Direction” all of sudden introduces melodic vocals that seem very out-of-place. “Rebirth” is a superfluous two-minute track without vocals. “Colder” switches between a melancholic, Deftones-esque groove and deathcore brutality, whilst “Behind These Walls” contains southern rock/stoner metal parts.

The above mentioned examples of variations in style are but a few of those one finds on “Eyes Of Mara”, which in the end is best described as a big mess. This band definitely has the musical skills to become a force to be reckoned with, but the future will tell if they can learn to exercise them better.

Download: Control, Pain And Fear, Force Of Change
For the fans of: Chelsea Grin, Slipknot, Upon A Burning Body, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead
Listen: Facebook

Release date 28.10.2014
Imminence