Vices is the third album from US band Dead Poetic, and the first to feature a virtually totally revamped line-up.  Since the release of their last album, New Medicines, the band have recruited a new drummer, guitarist and bassist, leaving only original singer Brandon Rike and guitarist Zach Miles from previous incarnations.

The band have previously been labelled as “emocore” or “screamo” but have consciously tried to move away from that type of pigeonholing, in both their lyrics and their music. To me, the result is something similar to an updated version of Stone Temple Pilots, or others of that ilk. It certainly owes more to the grunge-era bands than nu-metal. 

I haven’t heard their previous albums so cannot comment on how different they have become with their change of direction, but I would be surprised if the previous albums were as good as this. The songs are well crafted, with lots of complex riffs and melodies all blended together, but in a cohesive fashion, which brings their abilities as songwriters to the fore. 

There are still plenty of “shouty” choruses but they seem well placed in the overall context of the songs, rather than almost like a bolt-on extra, which I find many bands of this type guilty of. 

The verses have a good dose of melody and not too many time changes, which make many songs in this genre sound so disjointed. 

I must admit that this is not really the type of band I listen to by choice, but Dead Poetic are a cut above the vast majority I’ve heard in the genre and I can easily see them going from strength to strength on the back of this particular outing.

Let us know your views on 'Influence'

Track List

Cannibal vs. Cunning
Lioness
Self-Destruct & Die
Narcotic
In Coma
Long Forgotten
Pretty Pretty
Sinless City
Victim
Paralytic
Animals
Crashing Down
Copy of a Copy
Vices

Line Up

Zach Miles - guitar
Brandon Rike - vocals
Dusty Redmon - guitar
Jesse Sprinkle - drums
John Brehm – bass