Posted: February 26th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick

	Purchase @ iTunes Release Date: February 19th, 2008 via Breaksilence Recordings
	Eyes Set to Kill is: Alexia Rodriguez (Vocals) Brandon Anderson (Keys) Greg Kerwin (Guitar) Anissa Rodriguez (Bass) Caleb Clifton (Drums)

Overview: Eyes Set to Kill took their first swings in the ring in 2004, when Rodriguez and Rodriguez (yeah, they’re related) decided to give the band a go. The duo rounded out what would become the Eyes Set to Kill lineup and the group quickly went to work, carving themselves a formidable niche within the music scene. The band released an EP entitled ‘When Silence is Broken The Night is Torn‘, as well as DVD by the name of ‘A Day With Eyes Set to Kill‘; together, they moved over 10,000 units, and propelled Eyes Set to Kill to the tops of the sales charts on the reputable Smartpunk.com. In addition, Eyes Set to Kill claimed the throne as the top MySpace band without a major recording contract, and flourished with tours alongside Papa Roach, In This Moment, and Kittie among others. After honing their craft and hitting the studio, Eyes Set to Kill have arrived with their full length debut entitled ‘Reach‘, available in stores everywhere.

The Good: With ‘Reach‘, Eyes Set to Kill are out to prove they are more than just your typical, languid screamo band, and certainly do so on a number of occasions. “Song 2″, while not a Blur cover, starts ‘Reach‘ off in fashion, as its urgent disposition gives your palate a hefty serving of the dualistic vocal approach of the heartfelt Alexia Rodriguez and the bloodthirsty screams of Brandon Anderson. The album’s title track calls to mind the group Bedlight for Blueeyes (fans of which will enjoy much of this record), and retains a poppy sensibility with a combative vocal undercut. “Darling” is a roaring and punchy tune with a soaring bridge to show the band has some pulp beneath the surface, and “Violent Kiss” follows suit, flashing a dose of pep combined with meticulous musicianship. Eyes Set to Kill play their majestic and whimsical card in the bevy of harmony found throughout “Where We Started”, as well as the savvy and “keep-you-on-your-toes” “Young Blood Spills Tonight”. ‘Reach‘ reaches for a breath of fresh air and achieves it admirably in the sultry “Give You My All”, jettisoning the screams for an ambient, melody-driven moment, and builds upon it with “Only Holding On”, the most well-rounded and astute examples of the sound for which Eyes Set to Kill aspires. ‘Reach‘ peaces out with “Behind These Eyes”, a fitting closer that culminates in a searing, bone-crushing breakdown, the band’s most brutal tirade throughout the disc’s entirety. ‘Reach‘ also benefits tremendously from the implementation of sonic electronic infusions, which are used for accent and dynamic purposes rather than to distort the actual music.

The Bad: ‘Reach‘ has what I like to consider as post-Clint Sevendust Morgan Rose-itis. Now don’t get me wrong, Morgan Rose is one of my personal heroes but if you take a listen to the band’s previous two albums, ‘Next‘ and ‘Alpha‘, Morgan’s signature screaming is heard far too often, many times bastardizing some of Sevendust’s most soulful moments with inappropriate crooning. While my logic may be a tad confusing, the debut from Eyes Set to Kill is often times sandbagged by unrelenting screams that seem peppered in for good measure, rather than strategically used to aid the band’s sound. Despite the nucleus of melody and brooding emotion that binds Eyes Set to Kill, the band seem bent on sticking to the emo/screamo prototype that has become more than hackneyed in recent time. ‘Reach‘ tires quickly as well, because once you hear one song, despite noted exceptions, you have sadly heard them all. My biggest pet peeve with ‘Reach‘ is heard in the first two songs from the bass drum; instead of simply hitting one sole, meaty quarter note, drummer Caleb double kicks about every single note. As a drummer myself, I find this sound to be sloppy and pretentious, although solely my opinion, and with respect to Caleb’s drum-work, it is rather good on the whole.

Bottomline: Eyes Set to Kill have a solid offering with ‘Reach‘, appealing to fans of a wide spectrum of bands from Flyleaf to Paramore to Underoath. Although their sound can be linked to the aforementioned trio of acts, this is a young band that sounds young, and at times a little timid. Without a doubt, Eyes Set to Kill are eons ahead of their peers, because the eclectic onslaught they have prepared out matures just about everyone in their ilk; unfortunately though, the band’s sound feels far too disjointed and rigidly pieced together, rather than possessing a feeling of fluidity. With some seasoning and growth, Eyes Set to Kill should certainly be able to blossom and hit the high ceiling that their talent dictates; this album is a “reach” just long enough to get them going in the right direction.

Rating: 6 out of 10