Eighteen Visions Album: “Obsession [Bonus Tracks]”

A little history for those of you who jumped on the 18 V bandwagon after "Vanity": Eighteen Visions used to be a hardcore band. Very crazy guitar riffs, crucial breakdowns, vocals that demanded attention and lyrics that finished off the package. The only thing was, 18 V were always considered the "pretty boys of hardcore," the "glam band of hardcore." Thats all good because they were hardcore. Another thing, James and co. always wanted to be rock stars...well, with "Obsession" I assume they'll reach that status. They'll eventually weasel their way onto MTV and radio stations. Which is fine with me (believe me, those things need good music) however, 18 V changed their sound significantly to accomplish this and thats not cool.

I thought "Vanity" was a decent album, at leaset it still had an 18 V vibe to it, but I could see their direction. I didn't expect the change to be so drastic between albums though. With "Obsession" the crazy guitar riffs are gone, there are no signs of breakdowns, no more screaming vocals (in turn, we get singing and only singing) and lyrics that resemble something Yellowcard or Taking Back Sunday would write (e.g. She left me and now I'm heart broken type lyrics, for example "Said and Done" is a horrible song, especially to end the album.

There are, however, some high points to this record: Crushed, Tower of Snakes, A Long Way Home and even Waiting for the Heavens are all pretty decent songs. 18 V are evolving yes, but changing their sound SIGNIFICANTLY to achieve goals such as MTV, radio play and big bucks is not a cool way to go about it with true fans that have been their since day one.

Our "Kings of O.C. Hardcore" have traded their crown of diamonds in for the big ol' pile of cash...and that is a shame. A sad day in hardcore music. Look for ATREYU'S new album to come out 6/29/04...they won't let us hardcore music fans down.

I love Bleeding Through, Atreyu, Dillinger Escape Plan, Drowning Man, etc. I also like a variety of music. I get bored with just one style of music. I am going to get on my soap box because I just feel that people are not giving this band a fair break. I met these guys at a show and they were cool as hell. They talked to all the fans till the fans were satisfied, they joked around like regular guys, and were able to laugh at themselves. I have toured, met, and interviewed hundreds of bands and these guys rank up at the top. If you hate this kind of music that is cool don't buy the CD. I don't like plenty of bands myself. However, calling 18 visions sell-outs shows just how little you know about the music business. I am here to share my perspective

Yes this record does not sound like 18 Visions previous material. People grow up, tastes change, lives go on and some expand their artistic vision. Gone for the most part is the chug chug that I loved. This CD only faintly sounds like the first two CDs. Fans who have heard the first two CDs will be shocked. However, this is a new band with new material. This is a great rock album. Radio friendly? Maybe a few songs, but what a great world it would be if this were the kind of music that dominated the radio stations instead of Spears, Timberlake, etc.

Many of the whinny hardcore kids are crying sellout. This band has been around for ten years and yet I hear a 16 year old ?fan? saying 18 betrayed him. I doubt if that 16 old listened to 18 visions when he was 6. Most of these kids live with mom and dad in suburbia and will grow to be bankers, lawyers, and doctors. They either mooch off their parents or work at some crap job. Would anyone in the right mind turn down a raise if their boss gave it to them? Sorry Walmart, I want to remain a bag boy because I would be a sell out if I moved up to cashier? I would love to make music for a living. When I signed to a "major" (an indie with some major support) we got next to nothing for recording, ($8,000. Average studios charge $35-100 dollars an hour just to use the basic equipment), no tour support, and no backing. We were still expected to go on tour (we had to buy our own van, trailer, etc), do interviews (we paid for the long distance charges), get a booking agent, etc. It would have been better to not be on the label at all. I now am in serious debt, although I would do it all again.

If you think Trustkill is huge, I doubt that any of their bands have sold 100,000 units. There are over 250 million people in the US. That means less than .0004 percent of US citizens own the record. Whoopee. By the way, since when has making music been about anything but the artist's visions and ideas? Would it not be selling out if the artist only listened to criticisms and worried what everyone thought? Do you think it is that easy to sell 1 million records? You are na?ve if you think it is. I thought hardcore and punk music scenes were about being open minded and against fascist judgmental behavior. It seems the death of hardcore will be fans who will only listen to the same formula as previous bands. Sometimes I wonder how this makes hardcore ?innovative? or different than any other formula music.

As far as pay, the number one way bands make money through records is airplay. You really think 18 Visions is getting played everywhere in the United States? Please! For every record sold they are lucky to get 24 cents. The initial sales money goes to paying back the label for the "loan" to record the CD. Most of these bands make some money on tour (they have to pay for the van/tour bus, manager, lawyer, merch companies, roadies, soundmen etc.) When we played live we were constantly not getting paid. Even if 18 visions sold 100,000 cd's at 25 cents (if they got the money from CD sale one) the money made would be $25,000. Divide that by five guys and I just don't see how you claim sell out.

I know how it is to starve, and if a label actually wants to make sure I don't starve great. Every label, even idie labels try to tell bands how they should sound. We were constantly told be heavier, be more mellow, have shorter songs, write less deep lyrics, don't scream as much, get a new drummer, etc. Every label tries to manage and exploit you. Every label rips you off. That is the music business. Might as well have a roof over your head, because pride will keep you in a dump. Some small labels are the worst when it comes to treating bands poorly. Ask Dillinger about Relapse or Einsturzende Neubauten about several of their deals some day. Talk to Type O or Fear Factory about Roadrunner (that label is still small potatoes). Nightmares! I could go on.

I know how much Trustkill pays bands and it is nothing. I am sure this band is in debt up to their ears. Hell, they still work 9 to 5 jobs after tours. I doubt they are getting much money from Epic because they did not sign to Epic's main parent label but a small development subsidiary. They might have got $40,000 to record the CD (maybe but I doubt it). That money went to the producer, the studio, the mastering, etc. People complain about how new CD recordings sound like crap (Metallica for instance) but when a band goes out and records a great sounding CD people still complain.

Some hardcore fans complain this band only sings about girls. Check out 95% of other new hardcore bands and you will find the same. I think this is a heartfelt CD and if you hate change, want everything to sound the same forever, and are a conservative idiot (yes hardcore fans can be conservative!) you will whine. I think people are just crying over their own insecurities, naivety, and jealousy. This is an awesome CD!!

When I first checked this band out, I was ready to lump them in with the ENDLESS amount of copycat screamo/hardcore bands..screaming one minute and crooning the next about their girlfriend. I was happy to find they weren't like that. They actually write catchy songs..and I even sensed some old school thrash riffing in there that really makes your head bang. I like this cd and hope they continue in this style.

Wow. Where do I start? Eighteen Visions is an excellant band with great music, good guitar riffs, and a kick-butt attitude. I absolutly loved this CD. It has to be, by far, the best one they've put out. I felt really touched when I listened to the song "Waiting For The Heavens" and learned that it was dedicated to a friend of the bands' who had passed away. It was really nice to see a semi-hardcore band show their soft side, and what better way then to put it in words. "I Let Go" and "Tower Of Snakes" are also really great songs that everyone should hear. In the end, all the songs were great. They have a really catchy tune to them. Once you start listening, you cant stop. This is truly a CD that deserves only the best ratings and only the most listeners. I definatly give this CD five-stars.

Eighteen Visions, a hardcore band from Orange County, California has made a masterpiece. Once was the heaviest, fastest, most talked about hardcore band in the scene. Now, they are a post-hardcore rock n' roll machine. Only the ignorent are dissapointed to this album, but if you have heard all the Eighteen Visions releases and "bled for them", then you would understyand why this album is a masterpiece. I guess I'll break down the tracks.

1. Obsession 4/5 - The opener with an anthemic lyric, it really gets you going and is the fastest track on the album.

2. I Let Go 5/5 - This song is amazing, it really shows maturity. The chorus is "fun" and the song is rockin'. My 2nd Fav on the album.

3. Crushed 4/5 - A fast, heavy track that shows that they can be heavy without being metal.

4. This Time 4/5 - The chorus is amazing and the lead riff is awesome!

5. Tower of Snakes 5/5 - A faster track that is going back to the hardcore stuff. Although the lyrics arent that great, the chorus is probably the best one on the album.

6. I Should Tell You 5/5 - A slower song with an amazing opening riff. This track proves the Mick kicks ass at bass.

7. Waiting For The Heavens 5/5 - Amazing title and the heaviest, screamiest song on the album...also, the most complex.

8. Lost In A Dream 3/5 - A short song, not the best either.

9. Bleed by Yourself 5/5 - A very fast, groovey song, thats a little like early Stone Temple Pilots...the chorus is mad hardcore!

10. A Long Way Home 4/5 - The last electric track on the album, kinda short, but it leaves the heavy electric stuff on a good end.

11. Said and Done 5/5 - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! This is the best song they made so far! A slow piano song with acoustic guitar in the background. James' vocals are amazing, making him one of the best vocalists today!

Buy this album, GO NOW...BUY IT! Everyone in the world should buy it. This band has been around since 1995, and IT'S ABOUT TIME THEY GET THE EXPOSURE THEY DESEARVE. They wont slow down...Eighteen Visions is a force to be Reckond with!