Album Review :
Oh Tear the Veil - EP

Artist: Oh Tear the Veil
Title: Self Titled EP
Label: unsigned
Release Date: 06/24/14
Reviewer: Scott Swan

Tracklisting:

1. Septuagint
2. Discernment
3. Hollow Gods
4. Adelphio
5. Surrender

There must have been a lot of head banging growing up in the Perreault household of Louisville, Ohio. I can just picture the brothers, Coyln, Hayden, Chase and Kasen heading out to the garage after dinner for a night of metal rehearsing, as they tried to secure their next gig. Honing individual skills and mastering their craft into what one day would become the metalcore band Oh Tear the Veil, which in turn, would eventually bring us their new self titled EP. Now, I have no idea if it actually when down like that, but hey, I like the thought.

The band’s name represents a moment of great significance for the Christian. The time during the crucifixion when the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying the end of separation between God and man. Since Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice was given, we would all now have access to the throne of God, whether Jew or Gentile. With strong convictions and uncompromising lyrics, the band has put together a strong metalcore offering that shows a good bit of promise. Though most of the musical composition is fairly standard for the genre, the overall execution is well thought out, and performed at high level of quality.

For starters, “Septuagint” seems to be focusing on someone who is trying to straddle the fence, and getting caught up in building their own kingdom:: “Newly reborn” and still there is no change/You can’t base your claim off of what you gain/Cause there is power in the wake of surrendering To the King/ just call yourself out and quit the two-face game” For a debut EP, I feel the brothers are pretty tight musically. There isn’t any washed out sound in the mix, the guitars and drums sound sharp, and are certainly on the same page. One questionable aspect of this first tune, is the soft sounding keys that come in after the first verse. I’m not convinced they add anything to the tune, but a solid track none the less.

“Discernment” continues the pace with a track focusing on people who attempt to tear you down and fighting off doubts that are often brought on by the detractors. There is no denying the fact the main vocalist brother (Kasen) has some talent and a wide range. He seems to be able to growl, snarl, scream, sing or whatever is needed for any given song.

“Hollow Gods” portrays the all to common practice of humans trying to fill a God-shaped void with all kinds of pursuits that aren’t worth much at the end of the day. The tune offers a quiet atmospheric intro that busts wide open into some hard riffs that I found quite pleasing.

The next tune “Adelphio” reminds me of Paul speaking in Roman 7:15: “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” Honesty is at the forefront here, with the writer giving us a clear glimpse of his internal struggles that I’m sure we are able to relate to.

The closing track “Surrender” is the first real break that gives some well-timed diversity. Thematically driving home the point that we can’t find wholeness in our own strength. “I lift up my hands and surrender to you God/Through all the noise I hear you say/”Come home my son, you have been made so clean,/I’ve made you so clean.” This is probably my favorite tune and also features some of the best vocal work on the on the Ep, in my opinion.

Overall: I’m impressed by this debut EP from the band of brothers in the Buckeye state. Even though it was a little repetitive in parts of the album, I believe these guys have what it takes to make a name for themselves in this genre. I will be staying tuned for what’s to come from the band, and hope they reach the potential that is clearly shown here.

RIYL: Eyes of Eli, Day of Vengeance, Reformers