Former Thieves

With debut effort The Language That We Speak, technical hardcore team Former Thieves make "a commentary on the frustration of Midwestern life." Such a statement is far from new on any level, or from any part of the world, seeing as home state cohorts Slipknot did the same thing many years ago. However, when it comes to this quartet's union of angrily delivered structures grumbling along under a possessed vocalist more powerful than the instruments he's battling, one gets a fresh perspective of just how agonizingly boring fields and farms can be. Making the most of their ample time with nothing to do, the band have managed to soak up every bit of the agitated cacophony and meticulous bombast of genre heroes such as Coalesce, Botch and the almighty Converge. Still, despite knowing the ropes better than bands thrice their age, Former Thieves' inexperience is impossible to conceal. Many of the songs feel like endless ravaging, as opposed to deliberately contemplated forays. Moreover, the vocals have two settings: off and 11, with nothing in between, making for an experience that's as draining as it is exciting. While clearly capable and on-track, these boys need some time to marinate before they'll understand what they're screaming about.