Overload, Lights Out first full-length, is nothing less than amazing. Honestly I was not expecting this from the band because after listening to Get Out so many times, it got rather old. But this new album still hasn't gotten old and I've listened to it every day since I got it. And the reason is that on Overload, Lights Out completely changes their approach to everything, from the drums to the lyrical style. This is a big evolution for their entire sound and the result is catchy, energetic, and angry - everything that's good about hardcore music.
The album starts off with 'Trapped,' a great song that's got a catchy guitar riff in the beginning with feedback screeching in the background. Then it fucking blasts into Connor screaming out lyrics and this is when we first get to experience the new vocal style. At first I wasn't into it, because on the old recordings you could hear every word. But on Overload, it's a little harder to figure out some of what he's saying. But the more I listened to it, the more I came to like this new style better because it has so much more anger and raw passion. You can hear his voice straining for every word and I'll take that over clarity any day.
This brings me to another evolution in the sound. The drums on Get Out had this distinctive tom roll that was part of their sound and seemed to be used every time they ran out of ideas for a drum fill. On this new recording this is rarely used and when it is used, it's done faster than before and with more flare, adding to the energy as opposed to falling back on a familiar style.
One thing that hasn't changed about Lights Out is great artwork. I enjoyed the artwork on Get Out, with semi-shady characters hanging out in an alleyway all done in black and white. The new cover shows a dude pulling on chains coming from the ground of a war torn city. The new cover artwork represents the whole feel of the record so well and I'm glad, because this is rarely seen today with all the imagery of grenades, guns, knives, etc'
Overall, Overload is a great fucking record to listen to over and over again. I await the day that I'm able to see this new material played live. Every song is charged with great energy and a new raw sound that just adds to the intensity of this record. If you haven't picked this up yet, then get off your ass.
