Awaken

So there happen to be many bands already with the name "Acid Rain". So, in order for this band to get away with the name, it's a good guess they had to manipulate their nam to get around certain copyright laws. Thus the aptly titled band name: Accid Reign. But what is Accid, and do you pronounce it with a k instead of an s sound? The name does portray a slight gothic feel, but really, their music is just as their name half portrays: It is "Accid" but it definitely won't "Reign".

Awaken is the debut album from Accid Reign, and it's not that impressive a debut. All the stereotypical gothic metal/rock stylings are in it. Here you have a good female vocalist who can sing in only one rather dull key with mediocre music in the background supporting her. The perfect combination, right? Well, unfortunately, if you're a fan of the style you might not even be all that enticed in picking this up.

Once you get through the first track, you're pretty much done. There's no sudden turns or twists on the CD that will take you by surprise. The piano work may impress you, but only briefly, and the times it sounds like a good solo will chime in will leave you wanting to punch the screen when they don't. "Forgive Me" is possibly the only stand out song on the album as it is mostly acapella with only a piano to accompany most of the vocals that shockingly go higher then the constant dull voice on every other track on this CD, as well as a couple correspoding bass plucks for good measure.

In the end, the CD lacks a lot of creativity with the only saving grace being the piano playing, which eve there isn't all that impressive either. While many bands are starting to go this route because it's simpler to write the music, and sometimes catchier then the most insane death metal song, the album is like one of those hammers that babies get in their toy tool belt. It's the same thing, over and over again, without enough force to knock you out. The album is litered from stereotypes of the style from start to end, and will leave a bland taste in your mouth when it's done.