Burn It Black

Album Review

By 2002, the American rock scene had seen so much generic alternative metal come down the pipes that cynicism immediately set in when any new bands attempted to join the fold. It is in this environment that Injected's Burn It Black add themselves to the endless supply of heavy-yet-sensitive rockers. But fear not, Burn It Black is actually a great album that unveils a talented group of songwriters awaiting their chance at the mainstream. Much like groups like Local H, Paw, and On before them, the emphasis is on melody and songcraft first, heaviness second. The lyrics don't sink into Gavin Rossdale shallowness, sounding more like Jeff Buckley or Josh Clayton-Felt fronting a metal band. And the music isn't heavy in a repetitive, pounding way; instead, Injected takes the time to build dynamics and melody with their instruments. There is only a small difference between bands who do this well and bands who glut the marketplace, and Injected is one band who rejects the tactics of the latter. There are a few moments that are below the band's talents, including the boring rocker "Sherman," but all is forgiven when the untitled, nine-minute album-closer kicks in. Featuring killer melodies during the first half which only turn into a raging thrasher by the end, the track (which is essentially two songs) is a forceful display of their talents. Marking an excellent major-label debut for the band, this is one of the finer groups to arrive in 2002 and should appeal to fans of catchy-but-hard alternative rock. [Burn It Black was also released in a "clean" edition, containing no profanities or vulgarities.]