No One claims to be a new evolution of the hard metal band. In reality, their debut record is a typical, well-produced and raging modern metal album. And while it hard to imagine No One failing at alternative radio, the band sounds like generic post-millenium rock band. No One is a good thrashing rock outfit, but original is not what they do. Similarities to other radio bands include old school rockers like Alice in Chains, Metallica, and Pantera and new school bands like Linkin Park, Buckcherry, and Limp Bizkit. Their passion and fury is undeniable, but very familiar. Vocals on "Shedding" own a great debt to James Hetfield's bold phrasings. While singer Murk does his best impression of Fred Durst's whining growl on "Nothin" (which sounds like a reprise of "My Way." (One member of the band is called B-Larz for God's sake!) The album cover has a picture of a man's face with his eyes covered like a prisoner. So when Murk claims that he doesn't "see a lot of (Korn or Pantera) in music today" it's easy to wonder if he is blinded too. Or maybe he doesn't own an FM radio. But No One should be given a lot of credit. They replicate this popular, diabolical sound with expert precision and lacerating style. It may not be ground-breaking, but it is going to be hugely popular. Song highlights include the funky assault on self-expression "My Release," the rhythmic take on dependency "Chemical," the dark anthem "Again" and the confident declaration "It's Real." Recomended for fans of Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Powerman 5000.
© JT Griffith /TiVo