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"This is definitely one of the more interesting releases we've heard recently. On this, their debut full-length, Eyes Upon Separation have progressed greatly from their previous effort, an EP on Tribunal Records. Most of the descriptions you will read about this release compare the band to Dillinger Escape Plan or Botch. There are some definite similarities, but more than enough distinctions to prevent EUS from sounding like just another Botch rip-off. At times, they most certainly do display the technical math-metal pioneered by the aforementioned bands, dropping plenty of meticulously crafted shards of grating blast beats. And of course they've got the tortured vocals, typically of the increasingly popular raspy-raw-throat variety. Vocalist Brandon Smith does manage to change things up a bit though, with some cleanly delivered spoken-word type lines. The CD comes out firing on all cylinders, with the 1000-changes-in-one song, "It Must Be Take A Worm For A Walk Week," an admirable display of sheer technicality, incendiary prog-metal (ala Converge), and plenty of double-bass flourishes and guitar wizardry. Eyes Upon Separation are most certainly a force to be reckoned with musically speaking, as everyone in the band seems to have impressive chops. Things continue accordingly for the next few tracks, with the band's true personality emerging more with each additional track. On "Tongue of Poison (the Angus Tragedy)," which previously appeared on the band's Tribunal EP, the band whips out some of their melodic abilities, which serve as a nice counterpoint to the song's brutal iterations of blazing metalcore. The record takes a surprising turn with the next track though. "They Took The 'r' Out Of New York" finds the band pulling out some experimental stuff, with spastic drums that fade in and promptly fade out, all layered up strange guitar runs and breaks. In their own little way, EUS nearly morphs into an intense jam-band of sorts. It isn't long before their back to the more focused stuff though, as "No. 5 With A Bullet" comes packed with off-kilter grooves and more of the band's ever-so-subtle melodic undertones. The production on the record is good, better than the EP. There's plenty of clear high-end stuff this time around, although the bottom-end could use a bit more punch. Some of the riffs on this record would be so much more powerful if only the low-end had been given additional presence in the mix. But overall, the engineering is competent and effective. Bottom Line: Fans of intense and precision metalcore will appreciate this record, with it's punishing and brutally deliberate attack. However, Eyes Upon Separation are not a one trick-pony, which becomes especially evident on tracks like the quirky "Program the Toy" (another track from the EP) and "1.21 Gigawatts", the album's most diverse track. I wouldn't be surprised if this record quickly propelled these guys to the forefront of today's metal and hardcore scene."

"Eyes Upon Separation is as extreme as it gets. With links to the masterful Zao, EUS bursts onto the scene with a noise-core sound for the ages. Dillinger Escape Plan and Zao fans will gobble this up like eating Britney Spears happy hole. Only these guys are all about hating women, not loving them! It Must Be Take A Worm For A Walk Week is just as messy as the title. The vocals are pure screams. Forget trying to figure out what is on Brandons mind, you will have to read the cover art for that. But if you like music where you cant possibly hear everything the first time then this tune is for you. Think of it as Disneyland for hardcore, you cant hear it all in one day. Drums wander off in its own direction, guitars do these neat plucking things, and high pitched licks. Then without warning the band flies at a tiring pace. Start licking! With Tongues Of Poison you will find yourself to be disturbed by the lyrical content. Plagued by mockery, affluent in nothing. How I long to be complete! With you I am, I am youreleased! My will has been put to death, I am nowhere, I am nowhere but everywherecasually remind me pointless instruction. Look away children, look away Hmmdo you get it? I kind of do. Seems like someone aint handling their relationship well. Nonetheless the music is phenomenal as the band goes wandering off from each other again, just far enough to keep it togetheryet apart. There is some subtle melodies in the end over Brandons temper tantrum, cool shit! They Took The R Out Of New York is an instrumental that consists of a dark mood and super fast strings. A must hear. 2:25 of pure delight. No.5 With A Bullet flies as a blinding speed. Auxler and Corns are masterful as they weave high pitched licks with huge breakdowns to create the most complete song of the effort. Beautiful yet tragic, the song speaks of a desire to be with a girl. The girl is referenced to as an Angel. That is until the anger comes from nowhere and the end result is suicide from the loss. Yet again the guitar work is a breath of fresh air. Eyes Upon Separation is a killer bandperiod! One complaint is the lyrical content. Everyone has break ups! The subject has been beat to death! If this band wants to be in the game for the long hall, then an expansion in content will be needed. Nonetheless the album is masterfully written and produced, and like I said earlieropen wide, and eat this evil shit up!"

"If you can find a single thing wrong with this cd, please let me know. Because i cant. Perfect in every way, the pure talent, the emotion put forth into it and being felt from it, and damn they can outplay just about anyone. The guitarist's pour out every feeling they have into their playing, and they are unbeatable, rivaling the Dillinger Escape Plan in pure ferocity. The drummer, is mind-blowing, if he even is a human lifeform. There is a certain chaos they bring that i have never heard any band match. Complex composition and time-bending signatures are sewn through-out blast beat sequences and abstract jazzy metal riffs. The lyrics are sincere and passionate though heartbroken, none of this fake forced poetic-ness thrown about in trendy metalcore these days. You wont be seeing them since they are no more, but cherish them by buying this cd."

"The first twenty seconds of this album represent one of the most intense sections of hardcore music I have ever listened to. After analyzing this piece several times over I have determined the existence of a frantic tapping solo, slaughtering double bass percussion, and vocals that could paralyze a person's senses. The first track alone harbors what I consider to be truly original song structure and guitar performance. The rest of the album follows up with matching intensity. Every song introduces a different attitude and tone to stories of love and pain. Most importantly, Eyes Upon Separation yields complex drum patterns and jazzy guitar riffs that will keep most heavy metal head bangers guessing and wondering what to expect next. The combination of nearly psychotic tempo shifts and breakdowns would have to be a valuable trademark quality of hardcore music, and Eyes Upon Separation clearly does not miss a beat. In my opinion, anyone who enjoyed "Calculating Infinity" by The Dillinger Escape Plan will find "I Hope She's Having Nightmares" to be equally entertaining. Be sure to check out the music from this former Pennsylvania quintet as soon as possible."

"Evil, crush-tainted metalcore at it's damn finest. What makes this radder for me is that they all live like 10 miles east of where I live. This cd contains songs from their first cd(the leaves fall...), but all redone, as well as more new songs. Very very technical and intricate metal that reminds you of the works of The Dillinger Escape Plan and vocals that would sound like Daniel of Zao if he didn't use any of those crazy effects that make him sound like a demonic robot......this is pure evil screamage. And talk about some cool motherfuckin song titles.....ha! They like The Karate Kid. Lyrics seem very personal yet hit home with many of the love-slain out there. Oh, and the last song is one of the coolest acoustical pieces I've ever heard any band of this genre put forth. So remember, the next time your girlfriend pisses you off, make sure as you burn her pictures, you have this cranked up very loud."

"AMAZING!! oh man, i am soooo in love with this CD! crazy techinal mathcore metalcore whatever you want to call it. Everytime i listen to this cd it gets better and better. this cd NEVER gets boring. definately recommended for fans of dillinger escape plan, converge, botch, everytimeidie, the redchord and so on. if your sick of hearing bands who write songs that are 95% breakdowns and don't do anything interesting and different then this cd is a MUST. very talented band, one of my fav cd's now."

"the mathiest metal i've ever heard, next to converge. they're supposed to have something to do with zao, but i looked at this band's roster and compared it to the ever-so-transient zao roster and found no correlation. sick sick sick. there's a LOT of shitty metal out there, so you'll have to just trust me on this. it rips, shreds, tears. when hardcore's got you down, just turn to this."

"Some people must have a natural ability to compose technical music. As I listen to Eyes Upon Separation, all of the instruments, though chaotic and out of the ordinary, manage to blend into one tightly knit package. Not just any metal or hardcore band can turn guitar harmonics and chaotic picking into cohesive music, but Eyes Upon Seperation is one of the lucky exceptions. From beefy breakdowns to groovy, mid-song interludes, everything is packed into this relentless album, and I can't help but let my jaw sag on the carpet in technical amazement. This band knows what they're doing. "It Must Be Take A Worm For A Walk Week" kicks off "I Hope She's Having Nightmares" with stylistic and tempo shifts galore, making for a strong introduction to the band. The track encompasses much of Eyes Upon Separation's wide variety of approaches, through one brutal breakdown, guitar licks and dissonant squeals that rarely repeat themselves, and some personal, spoken lyrical passages. It would take more effort than I'd like put forth to describe, in detail, this (or any Eyes Upon Separation) song, so we'll keep things more basic. Through much of the album, the guitars retain their technicality, as does the mind blowing percussive assault, which features abundant blast beats and double bass kicks. Of course, the most impressive musical aspect to Eyes Upon Separation is their ability to blend the wild instrumentation in an unforced manner. Other than the more laid back and experimental "They Took The 'r' Out Of New York," chaos is the key to this album. Because I feel like I'm rambling and doing "I Hope She's Having Nightmares" no justice, I'll try and conclude this review quickly. Eyes Upon Seperation will satisfy technical gurus and fans of metallic music alike. Any fans of generally chaotic music won't have any trouble getting into Eyes Upon Separation's brutally technical sound. Though they have now broken up, "I Hope She's Having Nightmares" will keep Eyes Upon Seperation from being forgotten."

... just to name a few ...

band members formed....

Hawthorne Heights

The Pretty Weapons

Miracle Mile

Harlots

Surcease