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Once upon a time, when I was younger, there was an explosion of music called heavy metal.  This type of music featured loud, crunching guitar chords, manic drumming, and bands that had distinctive front men who either drew in the listener by their amazing vocals (Led Zeppelin), or the blunt force of their personalities (AC/DC). Occasionally, the groups would feature music with vocal harmonies (Journey, Queensryche), or talent that would go on to influence an entire generation of bands (Black Sabbath, King's X).

Something got lost in translation from that time to the hardcore bands of today.  Granted, most of them can play – usually, the same chords from song to song, but most of them have gone to the Cookie Monster school of vocals.  They start out in a low, whining, almost intelligible, Kurt Cobain-wanna be style, then erupt into screaming and roaring over a soundtrack that places more emphasis on decibels than chops.

Enter siVan.  Is _The State of the Art_ an exception to the screamo wave I just described?

Not really.  On their nine song EP, the band once again reveals that hardcore bands should be taking more cues from Rage Against the Machine, instead of the death metal groups of the '90's. "Introduction" is Rob Zombie meets hardcore.  "Funeral March" is a buzzing 90 second musical interlude, while "Varese: A Tribute" shows that this band could actually pull off pop punk if they were so inclined.

"Philosophies" is another screamo piece, but reveals something that raises siVan's game ever so slightly: cutting edge lyrics.  It speaks of a "pop culture virus," and tells its critics that they are "so smart, you've got it all figured out".  By far the best song on the record, this should be the starting place for siVan on their next project.  If not, they will experience what most hardcore bands have found out: an entire generation of listeners (read: over 25) will no longer be potential buyers of your discs.  If they mix in some singing with their writing, there is a chance they can rise above that.

Brian A. Smith
27 July 2005