The Suicide Pact - 2004 EP
The Suicide Pact are on the brink of something exceptional. I could easily figure that out in a mere four songs, and it literally blows my mind to think what these guys will deliver in the future.
The streets of Philadelphia can be dark and dingy; some parts look as if a bomb had come hurtling down, while other areas look blessed and lavishly touched. Philadelphia best resembles tiny cities within a large city, and no matter what you say about it, the city has character, personality. It is also home to The Suicide Pact; a band who best resembles the rough and tumble persona that Philly proudly, and at times arrogantly embodies.
The Suicide Pact are as rugged with their music, as the city they call home. On their 2004 EP, these guys give you an undersized glimpse into the power and rage of their music. What makes this EP and the overall appeal of The Suicide Pact, is their ability to outline songs filled with the heaviness of guitars that shift from the roar of metal to an indistinct exquisiteness while soothing, flawless vocals round out the sound. I’ve never heard a band with such a heavy style of music coupled with such ideal vocals that are tender, yet authoritative. It’s almost as if the vocals seem out of place with this heavy style of music, but for The Suicide Pact they do, and they are perfectly pieced together. Vocalist Bill Doherty has one of the best voices I’ve heard in a long time; it would be a crime to compare him to anything else.
The 2004 EP opens with the track “Wisconsin,” which for a band with such a heavy sound, ironically starts off with a classical, piano driven intro. After the introduction, the assault of the heavy guitars begin, the bass bounces in the background, and the drums crash and then the vocals finally join the barrage. “Wisconsin” is clearly the most dominant and personal favorite song on this EP. I think it best displays all the talents of the band and is a perfect choice to jump-start the EP. The song features some really neat breakdowns in the song structure, which adds a nice change of pace to the music. As loud and power driven as The Suicide Pact are, they manage to keep a solid form of melody throughout their music, which makes the music that much more enjoyable.
This melodic style is best portrayed on the track, “Fireflies,” which captures the catchier, ear-friendly side of The Suicide Pact. Now don’t get me wrong, they manage to keep the high energy and power in tact, but they show an artistic side of keeping the music melodic and harmonious. Now all this music wouldn’t be worth a damn, if it didn’t have consequential lyrics.
With his one of a kind vocals, Doherty also writes lyrics that are refined and polished and easy to relate to. This is best displayed on the closing track, "A Definite Maybe;" “Buried in words and the imagery left unspoken / The selfish lies, the self abuse, that we all seem to use / It seems I never notice when I’m all alone / Left with indescribable feelings / Left with these feelings while I’m numb / We won't try anymore / Cause you'll never find it on our own / We won't try anymore /
You'll never find it on our own / So I’m always still bleeding / Always from my insides out / Always knew that I would get back and someway and somehow I’d fly.”
The Suicide Pact are on the brink of something exceptional. I could easily figure that out in a mere four songs, and it literally blows my mind to think what these guys will deliver in the future.
(self-released)