Nodes of Ranvier "Defined By Struggle"

Nodes of Ranvier has recorded four full lengths -- three for Facedown and now one for Victory Records -- in their nearly seven-year run. While the band's first two records were composed of some solid, melody-laden metalcore and the latest two fairly respectable thrash-influenced metalcore, this South Dakota act is yet to do anything great. And Defined By Struggle continues that streak; it's pretty good, but not the remarkable album Nodes of Ranvier needs to reach the next level.

Like 2005's The Years to Come, Defined By Struggle takes cues from contemporary American metal (particularly Lamb of God) and smooths things over with sporadic, clean singing, warm guitar melodies and accessible, mid-paced tempos. It's not especially unique and Nodes of Ranvier never really outdoes their countless peers, but it's intense and, at times, abrasive. The record of course sounds thick, balanced and polished, so there's no issue there; it's just that, despite the forceful crunch and lots of good riffs, the songs aren't all that moving.

"Purpose in Pain" is probably the lone standout song, if only because its big, melodic choruses and crowd-friendly sing-alongs offer something other than an onslaught of metallic riffs and double bass and breakdowns. Aside from that, Defined By Struggle is another good, but not great Nodes of Ranvier effort that the band's big fans will probably dig.

Anyway, here's the band at their probable best: Nodes of Ranvier - Purpose in Pain