How many bands that emerged, nigh on ten years ago, when nu-metal and rock rap  was all the rage are still around today? If you were totally honest about it you’d have to say many of them literally went to the wall, looked over it and fell into oblivion. There are a few however that are still here and are well and truly alive and kicking. Nonpoint are just such a band and, with their latest album, they are certainly making a fist of it and still taking well placed swings at the establishment.

Their new album, entitled “Vengeance”, features twelve songs that are punchy and direct and sound powerful thanks to a great rock mix that spreads the sound for maximum impact. In vocalist Elias Soriano Nonpoint have a frontman who sings from deep inside and, when he wants to sound angry, he can sound well and truly pissed off. His performance here is very emotive and it’s obvious that the subject matter of songs like “Wake Up World” and “Bring Me Down” are close to his heart.

As mentioned earlier the mix is fat and fruity and every track is blessed with gloriously rich guitars that at times perhaps detract from the angst and the message that the lyrics are working hard at getting across. At points some of the guitar riffs wouldn't sound out of place on a Down album with tracks like “Change Your Mind” and “Witness” having monster riffs that Tony Iommi, the godfather of the bludgeoning riff, would be proud of.

As a whole Vengeance is very well played and there is plenty to get your teeth into but I was left with one overbearing reaction. Listening to the CD time and time again in one sitting your given the feeling that, creatively, the band are almost stationary. They are without doubt masters of their own sound and style and they do it very well but I can’t help wondering what can the band do to take it a little bit further.

As a Nonpoint album it’s a good one maintaining their high levels of energy and attitude and, for their fans, it certainly won’t disappoint. Sitting in a genre that fans seem to fall in and out of love with at an alarming rate this reviewer hopes that, with this release, Nonpoint have done enough to hold on and not lose any ground as they are one of the better things to have come out of the Nu-metal movement.

Let us know your views on Vengeance

Track Listing

Wake Up World
What I Do Best
Vengeance
Bring Me Down
March Of War
Breathe
Hands Off
A Way Out
Change Your Mind
Witness
Everybody Down
When It's Over

Line Up

Elias Soriano - Vocals
Robb Rivera - Drums
Andrew Goldman - Guitars
K Bastard - Bass