TAKE OVER AND DESTROY describe themselves as Classic Rock mixed with Death Metal and other extreme forms; I would have to say that is a rather great and accurate description of this band.  Their sound is very unique, catchy, and dark enough to go against the grain. "By Knife" is the first track and a perfect opener because it really shows the listener what the band is all about.  It starts off with a quiet but ominous tone before breaking into a dark riff that soon develops into death metal, both in the riffs and with the vocals.  Rollins' and Davis' guitar playing is extremely variable and changes on the fly.  It could be a brooding doom riff one minute, crushing death metal the next, then capping it off with some rock and roll.  It sounds crazy, and it is, but it never sounds confusing and is always focused.  Leemont's vocals also have a lot of variety; he can do a death growl with the best, sounding like THE CROWN at times, and can also do some dirty clean vocals.

"By Knife" brings the death until around the 2:50 mark when it bursts into a guitar solo that wouldn't sound out of place on a DEEP PURPLE or BLUE OYSTER CULT record.  It definitely gives the song a classic rock feel. "Love Among The Ruins" is a straight up rock song until suddenly it turns heavy and gloomy as hell, invoking doom metal wall of sound like BLACK SABBATH but with death growls. Tomaszewski's drums here are timed perfection, hitting the symbols like thunder, keeping the beat going.  His drumming is, of course, well rounded and this guy can play anything he wants; he is definitely a jack of all trades.  The same could be said for Porter's bass; it can be a heavy strum to back up the rock and roll or, when needed, a furious slab of rhythm to coincide with the often times crazy heaviness.

"Bring Me The Rope" is an album highlight.  When the song starts, a surprisingly upbeat and fun riff/solo pops up, immediately invoking FU MANCU.  Then Leemont's vocals kick in and he brings another layer, this time more of a gothic tone like DANZIG'S vocals.  The best track has to be the closer "Night Work Begins" because it somehow combines doom, melodic death, and rock and roll into one song.  Upon the beginning, I'm reminded of "Like Gods Of The Sun" era MY DYING BRIDE.  Half way through the song it does a complete turn around and goes into a melodic passage that is light on riffs but heavy on atmospheric melodies.This album was a big surprise, especially when you consider it is their debut.  If TAKE OVER AND DESTROY are this good now, I can only hope they go the distance and stick around-they definitely have good things in their future.