Nonpoint
Album Title: Miracle
Record Label: Rocket Science Ventures
Review by Aaron Manogue
(2681) Page Views
Nonpoint - Miracle
It seems like every time someone talks about any rock n’ roll artist or band these days, there is an underlying and ridiculous urge to place them in some generalized category. Whether it’s soft rock, alternative rock, heavy metal, death metal, or any amalgamation of rock n’ roll genres that some self-proclaimed music junky decides to make up for a certain band, people feel the need to stereotype a band’s sound. For the boys of Nonpoint it’s never been about fitting into some cliché music genre or writing records to make the charts, it’s simply been about one thing and one thing only; writing genuine, pure Nonpoint music.
Formed in 1997, this Florida-based band has gone on to create their own form of rock n’ roll…metal…whatever you wish to call it. I call it authentic, genuine, in your face, “you’ll go home to tell your friends about us” music. Currently the band still boasts three of the original band members, Drummer Robb Rivera, vocalist Elias Soriano and bassist Ken “KB” MacMillan, while adding axeman Zach Broderick in 2008. Building their name through their distinguished live act, Nonpoint has spread the word loud and clear that they’re here to stay.
Anyone who’s ever been to a Nonpoint concert can agree that their enthralling stage presence is something every concert enthusiast needs to experience. This is the energy most Nonpoint fans have been begging of the band to bring to their albums. And with their latest album release Miracle, they bring their ass kicking off the stage and into your home. They have transitioned into a harder, grittier sound for this album which serves as a perfect weapon for them to launch their music into listener’s eardrums.
From the opening song “Shadow,” guitarist Zach Broderick, who replaced Andrew Goldman as the bands lead guitarist, brings a much thicker hard rock sound to Nonpoint in comparison to Goldman’s previous recordings with the band.The thick riffs accompany vocalist Elias Soriano’s smooth-as-silk chords perfectly and drummer Robb Rivera’s beats carry the heart beat of the album triumphantly throughout. Nonpoint’s trademark energy stays in orbit with the title track “Miracle” which features guest vocals by Mudvayne/HELLYEAH frontman Chad Gray who produced the album along with guitarist Greg Tribett, also of Mudvaye/HELLYEAH.
The next few songs tap the breaks a bit on the train that is Miracle, transitioning into a middle of the tracks pace with “Crazy” and a song dedicated to our honorable and beloved troops “Frontlines.” One of the bright spots along the way in this album is the inclusion of Nonpoint’s cover of the mighty Pantera’s “5 Minutes Alone” which the band originally recorded as an online bonus track for legendary shredder “Dimebag” Darrel Abbott’s Tribute Album.
The absolute epitome of Nonpoint’s ass kicking is in the intensity they portray in the song “Dangerous Waters.” Warning: Head banging is required when listening to this song. There’s even a short yet extremely addictive solo in the song, which just adds to the mystique that Broderick presents in his first album with Nonpoint, something that is for the most part non-existent in pre-Broderick Nonpoint music. The song seems to serve as Broderick’s introduction to us all and his stamp on the band is heard loud and clear.
Traditional Nonpoint fans won’t be begging for their old Nonpoint back, because it’s still clearly evident in the new album. Self proclaimed Nonpoint critics will have to do their best to resist the burning urge to tip their caps to the band for their new efforts and ass kicking they’ll experience once they hear Miracle. It’ll be a Miracle if the same critics can also resist the urge to go buy the album.
Nonpoint has continued to write, play and produce the only genre they know how to spit out; genuine, pure Nonpoint music.
This labor day weekend, Nonpoint once again graces the Madison area with their renowned stage presence, live at Taste of Madison on Sunday, September 5th. They’ll hit the WJJO stage along with the Deaf Pedestrians and Caroline’s Spine.
Nonpoint Online
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