Courtesy: Century Media/Century Media Records
Eyes Set To Kill has finally returned. The band released its sixth full-length studio recording late last month. The band’s second album for Century Media Records, this 13-song, 41-minute self-titled record is a solid new effort from the veteran independent Phoenix, Arizona-based band. That is made evident right from its outset in the pummeling opener ‘Die Trying.’ This song, which is certain to be a fan favorite if it isn’t already so, is just one of the examples of what makes this record a welcome return for the band and will be discussed shortly. ‘Never Forget,’ which throws out the old adage of forgive and forget out the window, adds even more to the album’s staying power. ‘Voices,’ which shows the band’s ability to be heavy without being heavy,’ also benefits the album’s presentation. It is not the last of the album’s key additions of course. When it is set alongside the other noted songs and the rest of the album’s body, the whole of Eyes Set To Kill proves to be a return from ESTK that was worth the wait.
Eyes Set To Kill’s recently released self-titled album, its sixth overall and second for Century Media Records, is a welcome return for the band, considering that almost five years have passed since the release of the band’s fifth album, 2013’s Masks (its first for Century Media Records). That statement is supported right from this record’s outset in the form of the powerhouse fist pumping anthem ‘Die Trying.’ This song, with it’s blatantly nu-metal musical arrangement and self-confident lyrical theme, is a solid start for the album and the band in its return. Vocalist Alexia Rodriguez sings with full confidence here, “Everyday, these voices make me question myself/Should I be somebody else/My demons are awake in me/I won’t let the pressure take over me/Ready to make my own way or die trying/I’m gonna break through the chains/Ready to make my own way or die trying/Wipe the blood off my face/I keep my head in the game or die trying/I’m gonna put up a fight/Gonna risk my own life or die trying.” She goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “Every day’s the same/I’m getting bored of this life/Of getting by.” She goes on to follow up that statement with a reprise of the previous chorus, adding even more punch to the proud defiance of those negative thoughts and emotions. That clarity and simplicity in the song’s lyrical content leaves no doubt as to said message. It is a message of hope and personal emotional and psychological strength. When this is coupled with the song’s musical arrangement, which no doubt will have listeners proudly pumping their fists proudly as they sing along, it makes the song in whole not just a strong start for the record, but an instant hit for fans and the band. It makes the song just one clear example of why ESTK was worth the near five-year wait. ‘Never Forget’ serves just as much to show why this record is a welcome return for Eyes Set To Kill.
‘Never Forget’ is a strong addition to ESTK in part to its musical arrangement. Again, audiences get here, a decidedly nu-metal style arrangement that is certain to appeal to fans of Halestorm, Lacuna Coil, Evanescence and other similar acts. It is just one part of what makes the song stand out. The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note here as its musical arrangement. It is literally an unforgiving message being almost screamed at another person about past wrongdoings committed by said person. As Rodriguez songs here, “After all that you put me through/You’ve got what’s coming for you/What goes around comes right back again/So have a taste of your own medicine/What goes around comes right back again.Now that the table’s turned/You’ll get what you deserve/Try and take back your words/But I will never forget/Your bridges have been burned/Another lesson learned/Try and take back your words/But I will never forget.” She goes on to sing in the song’s second verse to admit she was “blind” to the events of the past in the past, but that she has grown since then and seen the reality of those situations as she reprises the song’s powerhouse chorus, reminding that subject that “what goes around comes right back again.” Some might argue against such a statement, but let’s be honest, who has never been in this subject’s shoes? This is someone who has been hurt in one way or another by someone else, and is finally seeing that person get what he or she deserved all along for said wrong doing. To that end, expressing such emotions here is truly cathartic in its ability to connect with listeners of any age and gender. Keeping this in mind, it becomes another strong addition to the album, showing even more why ESTK is a welcome return for the band and still not the last. ‘Voices’ also stands out on this record.
‘Voices’ stands out because it is so starkly different from ‘Never Forget,’ ‘Die Trying’ and so many of this record’s other offerings. Stylistically, its electronic, keyboard driven arrangement takes listeners into a deep, emotional place. There are no drums, guitars or other extraneous elements here. Rather, the drums and other elements are fully electronic. Those elements, coupled with Rodriguez’s pained vocal delivery illustrate the mixed emotions felt by someone dealing with those “voices” previously discussed in the album’s opener. It is an interesting counterpoint to that song as it shows perhaps the early stages of dealing with those voices. Considering this, its placement as the album’s penultimate track makes it even more powerful in that musical and lyrical presentation. When it is considered along with the other songs noted here and the rest of the album’s offerings, the whole of the album proves to be a record that while maybe not the band’s best work to date, still a record that is a welcome return that was worth the wait.
Eyes Set To Kill’s new self-titled full-length studio album is a work that proves over the course of its 13-song, 41-minute run time to be a work that was worth the nearly five-year wait. That is because it shows stylistic and conceptual changes in the band’s content from its previous efforts; changes that are welcome by and large. That is exhibited in the songs noted here and those not directly discussed. Considering those changes, the album in whole proves to be an album that while maybe not the band’s best, is still a strong return for the band, and in turn one that was worth the wait. It is available now in stores and online. More information on ESTK is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:
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