It’s no real surprise that this unsigned Austin, TX based group is vying desperately to win a competition that would have them open for Killswitch Engage, but truth be told- if they did play right before, fans might think they are seeing a KsE cover band or a group of KsE imposters.

Not that Die Among Heroes is bad, its just that the 8 tracks (5 actual songs, 3 interludes) that comprise this release are so rooted in KsE, despite their talent, it comes across as more than mere flattery at times. Vocalist Chase Hughes tries awful hard to sound like Howard Jones in both his screams and clean croons and the band have their mix of stern metal laced with sugary Euro melodies, and semi ballads (Think “Rose of Sharyn” type stuff). It’s all done with talent, conviction and honesty and a lot better than some of the myspace kids I’ve heard, despite its all too glaring mimicry.

The digipack Cd is well put together, decently produced and other than the two rather piecemeal acoustic interludes, tracks like “Perish What Ignites the Flame”, “With All that has Been Lost” and “My Failing Attempts” actually show a band willing to do more than throw some track on myspace and hope a record deal falls in their lap. And to be honest, I’d be Ok with them opening for KsE, and fans of KsE could do worse than check these guys out.

[Visit the band's website]

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