Eyes Set to Kill

Eyes Set to Kill are a difficult band to categorize, with their rough, barking male screaming, metalcore riffing and gentle female vocals. Their sophomore release, The World Outside, shows vocalist Alexia Rodriguez channelling her inner Amy Lee, with more conviction, but it's still slightly reserved and apathetic. The album feels directionally impaired, failing to realize that sometimes less is more. Rodriguez is often hidden behind harsh screaming, making her appear vulnerable when it's obvious she's trying to be strong. The piano interlude is a nice melodic distraction that shows the band's heart and passion, blending seamlessly into the catchier, standout title track. They successfully maintain this softer element in numbers like "Come Home" and "Deadly Weapons," which abandon the yelling and actually work better for the band, despite taking away from their intended darkness. ESTK haven't yet figured out their niche but this record is a step in the right direction.