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Speakers for the Dead is a hardcore band with potential to be enjoyed by fans of bands like Disturbed.  With speedy drums and guitars that range from industrial to melodic, they have the instrumental side down.  Unfortunately, with few exceptions like the chorus in “No Wrong” (the current single and the highlight of this EP), the vocals are badly out of key.  It’s not that their singer, Curtis Shamlin (formerly of Gryp, Inc.) is bad.  He’s just not singing in the right key.  About half the vocals have the “cookie monster” effect.  But even screaming can be done on key.  Perhaps they’re trying for a dissonant effect.  If so, it worked a little too well in this reviewer’s opinion.

I can’t find the lyrics in print anywhere, but I found nothing overtly offensive in what I heard.  I also detected some positive spiritual themes as in “Back Home,” where Shamlin sings (my best guess at the lyrics): “Tried to do it my own way.  I didn’t follow.  Today is a new day.  It’s time to follow. Find my way back home.  If I die tonight, will you be the one to hold me in your arms.  Just a chance to see your face is all I ask.”

Dan Singleton
July 12, 2005