Reviews

Just about every band starts out as a local band. One of those bands that have twenty fans, that plays in their friends’ garage every Friday night for months at a time until they have enough songs to actually go out and play a real show without making fools of themselves.  That’s the beauty of the underground.  There are probably a thousand bands not signed to record labels that have incredible and unheard talents that will most likely either break up before they can set foot outside of that garage, or disperse over time due to the ever occurring, “creative differences.”
 
Hailing from Oregon, Ahimsa Theory are an unsigned band that have such an incredible drive to get their music to the east coast that I absolutely couldn’t help but answer their e-mails and review their album.  Their efforts impressed me so much and I’m not sure if it was because I was in a good mood or because I was really curious to hear what they had to offer, but now I’m sure that I made the right decision because what they offer is not bad.  Something I learned from this band already is that “Ahimsa” is the Hindu and Buddhist Doctrine of refraining from harming any living being. Does that mean these guys don’t step on spiders? There’s one underneath my shoe right now…I think I’m losing points with them here.  Anyway, they are an alternative rock three piece from a state where the ratio of trees to people is probably something like ten thousand to one, it’s no wonder they’re such pacifists!
 
It’s no doubt that this is the age of hardcore and screamo, and it’s great to hear something completely different for a change.  This group has some addicting guitar solos and beautifully crafted vocals.  To me, they sound like professionals, which is something that a lot of people who call themselves “pro’s” simply are not.  They are musicians who take great care in perfecting their sound, making completely sure that what their songs say is exactly what they want them to.  They even have cello and viola on one of their songs! (I have a soft spot for string instruments.)  The strings add a certain touch to the music that makes it soothing and absolutely a joy to hear.  If you’re a fan of bands like Gatsby’s American Dream or Silverchair, you’ll be a fan of this, I’m sure.  I can only imagine how good this band would sound if they had a record deal funding their recording.  Great release for an unsigned Oregon band; I’m thoroughly impressed.