Across a bands career it is always hoped that they will evolve but you would hard pushed to find one that did this as blatantly in recent years than Eighteen Visions. Once upon a time they were simply one of the most brutal screamo bands about, yet in recent years have had more in common with Bon Jovi than any hardcore bands. Don't take that as a bad thing though. For me this is a change for the better although many would argue that point quite passionately.
If 2004's Obsession was 'up your street' then this will probably blow you straight into next week. The riffs are heavier, the chorus even more stadium rock and there are even more gang vocals. Melody is still order of the day. This is none more evident than on opener ‘Our Darkest Days’. The album trots on in similar fashion with the aim seemingly to grab the listener by the throat and say "try ignore that chorus". This approach makes me smile more than any similar effort in recent times
As I write this I'm trying to pick a major flaw in the record but there simply isn't one. For anyone who prefers the Eighteen Visions of old this is not a record for you I’m afraid. On the other if Obsession did it for you then this is more of the same. This is a true alt-rock gem in my opinion and the best record of its type in 2006.
 
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