The Dallas based band Jacknife combine hardcore brutality with Slayer-influenced thrash intensity on their debut Moment of Reckoning. While there's really nothing here you haven't heard from most of the modern thrash or metalcore bands, Jacknife still deserve kudos for relentless energy and plenty of musical chops. Songs like "Deception", "Unbreakable", and the title track are non-stop barrages of screaming vocals and chugging riffs, but it's on songs like the melodic "Tears Fall Endless" and the doomy riff-monger "Stand Your Ground" where the band offers up something different and helps give the CD a little variety. Another good example of the band showing their melodic edge is during the catchy number "Our Time Has Come", which mixes clean vocals with the growls, and has a plethora of interesting guitar harmonies and pounding riffs.
Probably not a CD that will set the world on fire, but there are enough strong tracks here to recommend Moment of Reckoning to fans of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and other bands in the metalcore & thrash arena.
Track Listing
1. Surrender Never
2. Unbreakable
3. End Of Man
4. A Glimpse Of Hell
5. Deception
6. ears Fall Endless
7. Breaking Away
8. We The Song
9. Destined To Rise
10. Moment Of Reconing
11. Stand Your Ground
12. Our Time Has Come