Review by JD on October 19, 2011.

I am always searching for something that will surprise and blow me away in the metallic landscape of today and for the most part, I don’t find that sort of thing coming my way very often. Chicago’s I Decline came across may desk and instantly left a very lasting impression on this metalhead... sort of like a twelve gage shot through paper.

As hard as it believe, we have a bizarre collection of different styles that make up what I Decline is, and really sets them apart right off the bat. You have such varied influences as Skate- Punk, real Punk, Sludge Metal, shadings of Doom, Thrash and even Traditional Metal that went into creating this proto-Frankenstein version of Metal... and upping the amazing factor of this album by many times.

I love the almost sing along nature of the song 'Time To Shine', not to mention the cathartic lyrics and heaviness of 'The Administration' and that is the first two songs. As you enter the album, you find power, passion, heaviness and an all important tongue in cheek attitude that all adds up to having an album that both serious Metalheads and ravenous Punkers will find irresistible and unable to live without... and that just fuckin’ works.

I always loved crossover stuff, from D.R.I. and The Dictators on up but I Decline’s "Time To Shine" is one of those rarities that all factions in Metal/Punk will go completely gaga over. All of this, and the ‘X’ factor of complete talent too... looks like these crossover masters are the real deal. Sometimes it works out when an experiment goes right. Only one thing needs to be said to end this review of this slab of Franken-metal...” Its alive... ITS ALIVE!”

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 8 out of 10