Cardinal Effect

Had this album been released even three years ago, it would have been given an entirely different review. Due to the over-saturation in the screamo market, the Cardinal Effect make it hard for themselves by playing it strictly by the Deftones screamo handbook. Songs like "The Afterparty” are solid and extremely well written, while tracks like "A Song for You (to Remember Me By)” showcase vocalist Jonathan Parker’s set of pipes. Beyond those high moments, it is still a stretch to call them original. Though perhaps also a stretch for the typically heavier Tribunal Records, these guys seem to be orchestrating a carefully manoeuvred hop on the bandwagon.