Eighteen Visions Album: “Obsession”

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.

To start this album is VERY different from all the past efforts I like this album until I realize that this sound has already been tread before (they just add the Vision of Disorder type scream). C'mon Mudrock; stop messing with me. Some songs so much like Guns'n'Roses/Alice In Chains/A Perfect Circle/Stone Temple Pilots/Vision of Disorder that you forget you're even listening to this album. Don't get me wrong: the choruses are catchy as all hell and you can listen to this all the way through, but it seems as if Mudrock decided to go (or the band) with the: "STICK WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S STUFF! IT SELLS!"; case and point: track 3: "AND I'M WAITING!" I wanna scream: "A LONG TIME NOW!", I mean if you are going to basicly rip a riff AND lyric at LEAST don't rip it off a SINGLE! ESPECIALLY from a band as big as STP. I know some people will call me "closed minded" for not accepting this album's "maturation", but I'll stick with "Until the Ink Runs Out" any day over this.

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!