REVIEW: Answer[s] – [O]perations [EP/2012]
Artist: Answer[s]
Album: [O]perations [EP]
Rating: 4.3/5
Chaos. Unbridled destruction. Malicious devastation. Like the jaw of a snake, unhinged anger and hatred engulf your home. What was once peace and tranquility is now violence and discord, as your town, and way of life fall victim to a savage attack. The national guard has been dispatched. The Army is en route, but it’s too late: escape is your only chance for survival. This scenario is almost entirely analogous to the onslaught waged by Californian quintet Answer[s] with their debut EP, [O]perations.
First, there were a series of crashes, followed by a series of rapid cracks. Then, the ground shook, and overhead, sirens rang. The world you knew, as fragile as an egg shell had just been dashed out upon a concrete step, leaving your perceptions of the world to fry on the pavement. [O]perations is comprised of many of these same elements. Deep, ground-rumbling bass, high pitched, cracking snare hits, earth-shattering vocals and guitars with muddy tones that sink like lead while simultaneously incorporating soaring, siren-like harmonics and riffs. Featuring elements of fast, heavy-hitting deathcore and brutal, skull-smashing beatdown-oriented hardcore, Answer[s] use a variety of instrumental elements as an elaborate canvas for vocals to work upon with starkly contrasting highs and lows.
You thought you could handle the situation. Sure–You’d gone to the training, watched the tapes, taken the fitness test, everything you were told to do. Everything seemed routine, at first. But the more things progressed–the closer the explosions got to your doorstep–the more things seemed to deviate from the norm. Answer[s]’s EP does the same. At first, [O]perations seems like pretty standard fare for what it is. Heavy where it should be heavy, blisteringly quick where it needs to be, but nothing inherently special. Then, things start to change. The closer the listener presses their ear to the speaker, the more they begin to appreciate the gritty, shrill nature of the vocals. Or the brilliant use of samples throughout “WMD”–especially during the climactic breakdown. Where Answer[s] make the best use of the element of surprise is the glorious, poignant conclusion of “Suppressor,” where the clean vocals kick in, and the band swaps out their familiar face-rending brutality for a more melodic dynamic.
Run. That’s the only option left, the only syllable your brain, heart and gut can agree on. While it isn’t perfect, and it might not pan out, it’s all you’ve got. While Answer[s] do pretty much everything right–astounding heaviness, surprising melody, well-done instrumentation and exceptional vocals, it’s all still tell-tale of a band still developing their sound. More than anything, [O]perations shows tons and tons of potential for a band which still seems to be fighting like a lightweight. None of this hinders the EP from shining–it’s an engaging, short and ear-catching release–one that makes the listener crave more. However, that “more” isn’t just more material, it’s more development and fluidity.
Barely, you made it out alive. You haven’t heard from your family yet, and the refugee camps are bursting up all over the wartorn country. You’re currently living in a small, southern Californian community, hoping to start a new, cleaner, fuller life. Just like yourself, Answer[s] still have a little bit to learn, and a little bit of maturing to do. But [O]perations is still an astoundingly engaging debut effort for a band who has shown that they have, with a little more willpower, the potential to take over the world. Or what’s left of it when the dust settles.
By: Connor Welsh/Eccentricism
As the father of Braeden Alter,(the leader and artistic power behind the band), Its great to know that all the driving around, Having to listen to constant sceam…I mean vocals, drums and screaming guitars at all hours of the day and night might accualy pay off.
It certainly should! You’ve got a talented son!
Okay, first off, they do NOT deserve a 4.3, but obviously the publisher of these reviews knows not of what he’s talking about. They have generic breakdowns, generic playback, and the riffs are terrible and sound similar to a 2002 metalcore band. The recordings sound awful and not full at all, like they forgot to record the bass. They have two guitarist for one reasons, to do the stupid left/right breakdowns/riffs. Answer[s], AKA The Calvary will make it about as far as any other local 909 band, but have a little more help, since some members have rich parents to support them. These guys are total kiss asses to other bands, and are ripping of the woe is me ‘[s]’.
First off, I gotta say that I disagree. True: the band has some rough segments and verily, they have areas which could use improvement, all of which touched upon in the review and rating accordingly. Additionally, they’re a young band, and I think the release is solid and displays great potential. Ground breaking? No. Original? But its certainly fun, and I think that a more important than its technical merit. Also, the [s] thing has nothing to do with their sound, so if that really natters that much towards your opinion of the music, then I’ve already wasted my time in attempting to reason with ya.
Omg, these guys are the biggest dick heads in the 909 scene. Rich kids who’s parents will drop moeny to keep them happy, they dont play alot of shows and nobody knows about them. Generic. Boring. 2009. Write more innovative music and maybe I’ll reconsider, and also realize that your just in a local band who plays 5 times a year so you are in no place at all to talk down to other bands from socal that play 6-10 shows a month and tour.
I’m sorry that they’re (apparently) dickheads, but I’m not reviewing their behavior or live performance, I’m reviewing their album, which I was impressed by. Next time I’m down in the 909–which might be a while–I’ll be sure to drop in and see what they’re like, but regardless, their behavior as a band or the affluence of their parents isn’t the point of the review.