Random, repetitious hardcore with a touch of crazy. This is what describes Apiary when I think of their latest release, Lost in Focus. Like a punch to the temple, drummer Adam Elliott busts out some power drum blasts throughout the CD which, for the most part, kick major ass. This CD features major talent on the percussive side of things, and this definitely make the CD worthwhile.
To complement the drums, a pair of talented guitarists express their strength via musical prowess to add to Apiary's usually unorganized sound. Using some of the same sounding riffs and off sounding chords, guitarists Peter Layman and Mike McClatchey, although very talented, create a sound of confusion in metal that could almost make someone crave a decent melody for once. But I shall not forget bassist Dave Small, for his part is no smaller than any other. It is quite amazing to think that he, as a bassist, can keep up with the crazy beats and changes of the song with his massive bass notes, and from time to time, you can hear him slapping down on with true fury. 'Tis quite a feat.
To finish off the band, vocalist Jason Ingram screams his lungs out in an almost-always monotone rasp, and occasionally adding in some creepy talked-out lyrics that make me not want to listen to this CD at night. Overall, the CD is good if you're into a mass of beat changes on each song and some dragging repetition of riffs and such (which would almost remind you of Norma Jean in a sense). But the repetition from song to song of the same f**king off-chords in the tone of each song can get annoying.
Track Listing:
Pain Is The Reason
Descent
Extract
Omnipresence
Intervention
Bliss In Vain
Forced To Breath
Lustrum
Peril's Divinity
Solidified Foundation
Fading Imprint
The Walls Are Permanent
Finding A Way Back