Scheer's debut album,
Infliction was a good example of 90s alternative metal. The first half of the disc is a blur of screaming guitars topped with the angelic yet menacing vocals of Audrey Gallagher. With a voice similar to
Kristin Hersh and the Cranes' Alison Shaw, she is at the centre of
Scheer's sound, and wisely the band have let her vocals rise above their wall of noise.
Scheer are at their best on "Wish You Were Dead," and nowhere does Gallagher's voice carry so much vitriol as in this song ("It would be much easier if you were dead/I wish you were dead").
On the second half of the disc,
Scheer begin to lose their way. The metal of "Shea" and "Howling Boy" is replaced by slower, more acoustic songs like "Sad Loved Girl." While not a bad thing in itself, the problem
Scheer encounter is not being able to make the songs different enough or to keep the vocals from sounding exposed. A promising but inconsistent debut. ~ Jonathan Lewis