The Serpent

Boy, the term ‘melodic metal' certainly has changed over the years. Back in the 1980's, the style was best suited for glam hams that were all about pontificating about (in the immortal words of the Cruiser from ‘Stripes') ‘fast cars and fast women.' Come the 21st century, some may consider a group like Still Remains a melodic metal band, but that's just one facet of the band, as a much tougher metal sound also lurks beneath the surface. This is especially evident throughout their third release overall, 2007's ‘The Serpent,' as the vocals alternate between sung and shouted, as well as the rubbery riffs that are equal parts nu metal and thrash. And lyrically, there is nothing party hearty about Still Remains -- considered ‘Christian Metalcore' by many, the group deals with the same ‘us against them'/'trying to make sense out of life' topics that the majority of similarly styled bands tackle nowadays. Add a dash of Iron Maiden-esque guitar harmonies and song titles that could double as poem titles at your local coffee house's ‘poetry night' ("The Wax Walls of an Empty Room," "Dropped from the Cherry Tree," etc.), and you're ready to ride ‘The Serpent.'