The Black Winter

Second album from this band made up of old hands—most notably Andy Whale of Bolt Thrower fame. I liked this band's debut album a few years ago, but I have to say this one is not grabbing me as much. The recording is solid, the performances are good, the songwriting is consistent. The only thing I can really say is that this sounds so much like the first album that they are almost indistinguishable, and there is just a feeling of safety about this in that it takes no chances and pushes no boundaries. This is exactly what you expect this to sound like based on the first album, except I was hoping this band would step up and get really awesome, and instead they are just treading water.