This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Fire and water aren’t the only opposing elements to be found on Burnthe8track’s debut album The Ocean.
On the one hand, Derek Kun’s keening, cathartic yowl might echo those emo bands that have a day of the week in their name. But guitarist brother Jason’s low-neck growls and Morse Code licks, coupled with the rhythm section’s galloping gait, make you suspect these boys have spent mucho time in the basement mastering classic Iron Maiden-style metal. Put ’em together and you have a slate of high-voltage anthems that could unite the backpackers and the mulletheads in harmony. No wonder influential indie metal label Century Media were fired up enough by their sound to sign these boys.
FILE UNDER: Emo on steroids. And on 11.
TELLING SONG TITLE: When Hope Becomes Denial.
