Apex Theory
Topsy-Turvy
Dreamworks
This is some pretty angry nu-metal stuff, which makes me giggle a bit; how can a band on the Dreamworks label even contemplate to be angry, mean, or intimidating? Pretty silly concept! Anyway, I have to admit that Apex Theory is about a zillion times better than Linkin Park, a trillion times better than Disturbed, P.O.D., Puddle Of Mudd, Papa Roach, and System of a Down, and many times better than Vanilla Ice’s Hard To Swallow.
Apex Theory is a much more ambitious band than the majority of your nu-metallers. The lead singer’s voice isn’t always “GRRRRR, I’m tough!” He actually sounds like Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers more than anyone else, which works well with this band. The guitars sound, strangely enough, like Tom Morello’s (Rage Against the Machine), especially on the album’s first track, “Add Mission.” The album’s fourth song, simply titled “Track 4,” is a mind boggling exercise in math rock, very akin to Rush or Tool. “Drown Ink,” an off-kilter stomper, features wonderfully the bass guitars very grainy and shimmery ring; very cool! The rest of the album is along said lines, wandering in and out of math rock, but focusing on “rock” the entire time.
Is Apex Theory going to change the face of the music world? Probably not. But I would be much happier listening to this on the radio than I would listening to Papa Roach. Is Topsy-Turvy perfect? No, not even close, but I give major kudos to these guys for trying to distance themselves from the nu-metal pack. Pretty decent album.
Dreamworks Records: http://www.dreamworksrecords.com
