Earth Crisis

Salvation of Innocents

BY Bradley Zorgdrager Published Feb 28, 2014

5
Earth Crisis are at the point in their career where they don't have to impress anyone; they already left their impression on the scene long ago, burning it into metalcore with a "Firestorm." Unfortunately, this attitude can lead to complacency from bands that can continue filling venues based off their name and past triumphs.

The Syracuse deliverers of vegan straight-edge breakdowns split the time on Salvation of Innocents, their eighth full-length, between a band coasting along and one trying to uphold their legacy. They've certainly become more metal-influenced over the years, with "Out of the Cages" and "The Morbid Glare" bringing to mind Swede-inflected metalcore, which isn't a problem, assuming you don't mind some Killswitch Engage in your Earth Crisis.

Questionable singing throughout brings to mind the worst decisions of No Warning and Hardside, only furthered in its impact considering the source here. Fortunately, much of the album sounds exactly how you'd expect (post-reformation) Earth Crisis to; it's just a shame it feels like a letdown after Neutralize the Threat.
(Candlelight)

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