Dana Walker - A Ghost Among Us [2009]

Genre: Metalcore/Progressive
Label: Unsigned(!)
URL: http://www.myspace.com/danawalkerband
Country: Kilmarnock, Scotland

Scottish quintet Dana Walker's recently released eight-track A Ghost Among Us is exactly what the music business needs. As themselves state, they are not driven by following trends, which can surely be heard. Dana Walker delivers metalcore at it's finest, and leave you unable to associate them with anything else - they have their own true sound. Ranging from sometimes-out-of-key clean vocals to deep growling, aswell as smooth interludes and heavy melodies to match. You'll also find a one-and-a-half-minute beautiful piano intermission half way in.
A Ghost Among Us is a new and fresh metalcore album that stand listening over and over again.
Dana Walker was recently seen touring with post-hardcore giants Confide, aswell as up-and-coming Bury Tomorrow. It won't be long until they're as big!

Best track: We Die Alone
Score: 8,5/10

The Subtle Way - Thus Far, The Channels Speak [2009]

Genre: Metalcore/Electronic
Label: Negative Progression
URL: http://www.myspace.com/thesubtleway
Country: California, USA

Fourth-in-line from Californian The Subtle Way, and they've taken a big step into the generic metalcore/post-hardcore scene. Now with even more auto tune!
There's no denying it, it is catchy. But nothing really catches your attention, and I can only hear their thoughts on writing this album: "Hm, not crowd-friendly enough. Let's add some electronics. And let's rip off some other generic metalcore bands, that way we'll get a lot of listeners!".
Songs like The Breath And The Breathing and The Getaway is what makes me want to turn it off and listen to something else. Extreme use of unnecessary auto tuning that makes it sound as if a computer is singing is not enjoyable. Having it on in the background whilst doing something else and not entirely focusing on what you're actually listening to makes it a nice album. Otherwise, no no.
However, if you enjoy that kind of music and autotuning doesn't bother you then you'd probably think The Subtle Way's newest is pretty awesome. I, on the other hand, am pretty sick of it.

Best track: Clockwork
Score: 5/10