Review by Alexi on November 29, 2004.

Has metalcore become the most saturated and uninteresting metal subgenre? The combination of metal and hardcore can only spell danger to the ears of a traditional metalhead. Well-written guitar solos, complexity, vocal range — forget them; they are nowhere to be found. The only previous combination of punk and metal that worked was thrash. In the 1980’s, thrash fused New Wave of British Heavy Metal with Orange County and primitive, east coast punk. Twenty years later, the cycle is repeating and unfolding as a disaster. While metalcore is at least exposing some sort of metal to new audiences, it is not a positive development of the form. It’s largely unoriginal, lacks technicality and does not embody any of the mores of a respectable form of metal.

A Perfect Murder is an interesting example of this subgenre. One would have a difficult time differentiating half the songs on the record from the likes of Hatebreed or Sworn Enemy. However, there are songs that show promise. These contain complex guitar lines and display the band’s sense of originality and promise. Sadly, these only represent a handful of their tracks.

Fans of Pissing Razors will notice an influence in some of the more technical songs, which feature melodic guitar work. Unfortunately, even the melodic lines sound unfinished and rudimentary. Also, those who listen hard enough can pick up on a Cro-Mags influence during the more post-hardcore influenced songs.

Don’t look here for something completely original and different. A Perfect Murder is likely to be just another tool in Victory’s chest. Hopefully, in the future, A Perfect Murder will mature and make music that is more interesting and enjoyable to the metal community, not just for people who wear red bandanas and ninja-dance on weekends.

Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 4
Atmosphere: 7
Production:7
Originality:5
Overall: 5
Rating: 5.6 of 10