Originating from Orlando, Florida and including a former As Friends Rust drummer, Zach Swain, Hand to Hand release their debut A Perfect Way To Say Goodbye on Lifeforce Records. Produced by James Paul Wisner who has worked with Further Seems Forever, Dashboard Confidential and 36 Crazyfists (to name but a few), you instantly know that the production on this album is going to be top notch.
Following their critically acclaimed self financed EP, Fast Forward Your Thoughts (2003), Hand to Hand casts a new glow on a genre that's quickly becoming one of Metal's most favorite hybrids.
As I listen to the opening track, Preamble, I instantly feel a freshness about this track and you can instantly tell that they are not just another 'Emo' band. The music is a flowing wave of melodic hooks and the vocals add a lethal dominance. Hand To Hand are a band of regular guys who possess a high level of musicianship and have a good handle of songwriting as well as playing out passionate music.
The Arson stands as a very strong track, the double bass makes a welcome visit this time surging the song on, it is a very compatible thunderous mix between the guitars and drums that just oozes with the brutality of Robert Kelloms's vocals. Predictable Gathering starts with the opening lines When I write, I suffer, Sticks like a famous name, you can't pencil with paper stains. I think the writing quality really shines through and just adds to the solidness of this album.
Hand To Hand, currently on a U.S tour. I strongly advise you to try and catch these guys live. If not, this album should easily be a welcome addition to your collection.
All the band members have such a varied musical influence and it shows, I think that every single one of the ten tracks on this record are put together so well that the abilities and talent of this band glare through in abundance. There Is not one weak song on this album, and for years I have been a pretty biased 80's Metal fan and I would not really lend my ear to this type of music but this album really does break the mold. And in such a way that this could easily be one of the best releases I have heard this year.
- Album Highlights: Insult With Injuries, The Arson and Preamble.