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Artex is a unique band, in that some current musical trends are apparent in their music, but are used sparingly and rather effectively. While there are shots of double bass kicks and background screams to give the music an edge, the music is more commonly built upon quirky song structures, electronic effects to achieve a spacey atmosphere, and a healthy amount of experimentation. Whether it works for them depends upon the song.
Some of the material on "Draw The Line" shows a lot of promise. The second half of the title track is my favorite part of the entire EP, as Artex drifts from a keyboard-driven pop-rock segment into a fairly colossal climax of quick guitar shredding and pummeling double bass kicks. "Transparent Adversary," too, showcases an impressive construction of tension through delicate strumming and soft, soaring vocals. Everything is ripped apart by a surprisingly meaty breakdown, and the song proceeds to drift toward a metallic sound.
Generally, the six songs, which all exceed the five-minute mark, revolve around endless changes in tempos and a lot of stop-start guitar riffs. There are also a handful of delicate interludes, and many of them bring to mind the soft, melodic sides of the Deftones or Between The Buried And Me. The band sounds comfortable performing these mellow passages, and they contrast well with the ever-changing tempos and guitar parts that dominate much of the recording.
But while Artex is comprised of solid musicians, there are a couple of things that restrain them from really catching on. First, are the vocals. Employing three vocalists creates a varied sound, yes, but the lead vocalist attempts to do more than he safely can. The singing is pleasant when soft and restrained, but when the lead vocalist breaks into raspy yells, it simply does not fit. The yells tend to kill what is an otherwise strong sound. Second, I would like to hear the band put less of an emphasis on blatent keyboard parts. Often times, it gives the music a lighthearted, power-pop vibe, which I would personally exchange for subtle keys that add underlying texture.
If Artex had a lead vocalist that could keep me from raising an eyebrow in confusion, "Draw The Line" would be much more pleasing. The band has a unique sound and some musical skill, but lacks the vocal hooks that bands like Coheed And Cambria can use to create truly memorable music. "Draw The Line" is worth checking out, especially when considering the band's wide range of influences, but those who are selective when it comes to vocalists will likely be turned off.
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