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CRNKSHFT - selft titled EP
Review by Daniel C. Morrison
https://www.facebook.com/crnkshft
https://www.reverbnation.com/crnkshft
Those who know me understand that Breaking Benjamin was my favorite band of my older hard rock years because I love melodies, drop tune, a bit of aggression, etc. It stayed that way until they became a bit overproduced, in my opinion. While I still enjoy them the lyrics are overly depressing and don’t ever change much. I wish their sound would be a little more authentic.
Recently, a Vancouver, BC band hit me in that sweet spot without being overproduced and I instantly found a winner. This band is CRNKSHFT and you should definitely put them in your radar!
Meet the Cast
L-R: | Trevor “Tre” Miles – Bass | Josh Lauze – Drums | Shane “Shanr” Jolie – Vocals | Sebastien “Sea Bass” Mark Pulse – Guitar | Geoff “Gway” Way – Guitar – Photo Credit – Alex Barredo
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Having formed in just 2015 they already have a strong staying power sound. They scored Producer Daren Grahn (Metallica, Hedley, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi) and wants your head to throb in a good way.
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LET’S DIG IN!
Systematic is their first single and gets everything going just right. I just wanted to put it on repeat. This makes sense since it won ‘Best Metal Song’ by the Academia Awards Academy in Los Angeles. I appreciate that element of breaking free from the system of politics.
Tears Me Apart continues an epic portrayal of letting your fears out in both sound and lyrics. It has a riff that is super catchy and reminds me a bit of Godsmack if the vocalist had taken singing lessons. T
Old Habits reminds me of Alice In Chain’s “Dirt” album. How in the world is this happening? I don’t want this EP to end. The lyrics are up my alley as they deal with the definition of insanity and wrestling with your mind and becoming the greatness you were meant to be.
Just when I think it can’t get any better Crnkshft hits me with a riff that is so freaking catchy I put it on repeat. This is my favorite song right now. Wow! It’s immediately a sing along song. It’s like a mix of Shinedown and Breaking Benjamin. Breaking the Silence, you’re my hero!
On one end of the shovel
I was surprised to find the style of rock that I lose myself in. A combination of passion and emotion wrapped up in a package of beautifully coordinated riffs, punchy bass, hard hitting drums and really great vocals sprinkled with lyrics that don’t depress the listener. I love Brett Hestla as a producer but Daren Grahn delivers here in comparable spades!
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On the other end of the shovel
This EP is only 4 songs. That’s it. It saddens me. I spent a few minutes trying to think of something that may turn away some folks but I can’t think of any unless you don’t like this style of music or hate people living in Canada.
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I can’t say enough good things about Crnkshft. I’d totally see them live, buy all their albums so long as they continued these elements of passion and energy and rejoice as I told people about them. A Breaking Benjamin replacement for sure scoring my highest review so far at a 10 out of 10 feet deep.