Customer Reviews

Grade 8

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

First thing's first. Is there anything new here? Absolutely not. We've heard it all before, from dozens of other "nu-metal" bands. However, for those that liked what they heard, this album should satisfy and is likely to find a home in your CD player for a few weeks to months, depending on when the next flavor of the month arrives.

I think the best way to describe Grade 8's sound is Soil meets Dry Kill Logic meets 3rd Strike. In other words, expect gritty Pantera-esque vocals with moments of speed-singing/rapping. But don't let that turn you off. I'm pretty much anti rap-metal - Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, etc. - but there's more metal than rap here, so it comes off as very rockin' and catchy. But, yeah, if you're a purist and can't stand the least bit of rap influence in your metal, you'll probably want to pass. Otherwise, it's really good stuff. The music itself is standard nu-metal. Tuned down, crunchy guitars, thick bass, and heavy drums. If you like bands like Soil, Dry Kill Logic, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead, Spineshank, No One, etc., you'll probably like these guys.

I haven't seen them live, but this stuff is definitely meant to be played live. Listen to the samples and you'll heard what I mean. "Headcase," "Brick by Brick," "Adrenachrome"...they're moshing tunes. And, really, isn't that what nu-metal is all about?

Why only three stars? Sadly, the band are destined to be the victims of their own style. I think Grade 8 will ultimately be overlooked or quickly forgotten because they simply don't bring anything new to the already oversaturated genre. Don't get me wrong. I really like what I hear, but I'm forced to wonder if the band really has any staying power. This is a good, albeit generic, first album. There are enough solid, catchy songs for them to make a mark and get their foot in the door to consumers homes - much the way Soil did with "Halo" and Dry Kill Logic did with "Rot" - but they need to mature and pull out all the stops on the second round or they'll fade away. Though, I suppose the same goes for all those other bands I mentioned as well.

Final verdict: If you like the gritty, mosher music of today's nu-metal, you'll find plenty to like on this CD. If you're already tired of the same old, same old of the metal scene and you're looking for something completely new and less "nu"...pass this one over and settle in for a long wait.

Grade 8 is a nu - metal band from Los Angeles, CA. The first time that I have ever heard of them was when I had the privalage of seeing them play at an Evanescence concert in Denver, CO. (I just recently moved to LA for college) They had an awesome live show, and I really recommend that you all see them. I did hear that they toured with Ozzfest this past summer of 2003, but I did not see that. Instead, I went to Summer Sanitarium. Now, on to the cd....

Grade 8 starts off strong with Brick by Brick. Their next few songs are totally moshing songs. Throughout the entire cd the listener finds great pantera-soil influenced vocals with rapping. I really enjoy grade 8's rap metal approach to their music. It really gets you pumped up. The reason why I gave it 3 out of 5 stars is because they really offer nothing new to the world of hard rock. They really have a great live show, and I am anticipating their new cd to be more experimental, but just plain something good to listen to.

Another note is grade 8 really reminds me of Christian metal sensation Project 86! If you ever get to see them live, do it! Project puts on a good show and rocks the house!!

Ok for all those people out there who have never heard of these guys before and want to check them out, then i say go for it. But just make sure you buy this cd before their crappy follow-up Resurrection. Their Self-titled debut is definately their best piece of work. Every song on this album is awesome. Brick by Brick, Adrenachrome, and especially Get It Out, which is in my opinion the best song on this album, with the awesome double bass riffs. Pick this one up, cuz its worth it. As for Resurrection, please don't waste your time and money. It blows just as much as my vaccum cleaner does on reverse. Try before you buy.

First of all, how anyone can compare this band to OPETH (see above editorial review) is something I will never understand. These two bands are about as far on opposite ends of the rock/metal spectrum as you could possibly get. That comparison is unfair and downright misleading.

That being said, the stuff found here is weak and routine at best. "Brick by Brick" has a good chorus but suffers from utter run-of-the-mill nu/rap-metal that we've already heard in an overcrowded scene anyway.

I'll give the vocalist some credit - he can definitely belt out some monster growls - but the rest of the music seems to fall short just where it could really be something good. I'm also admittedly biased, because I'm somewhat sick of rap-metal in the first place.

"Adrenachrome" is an okay track, with a nice crunch, but again, it just falls short of something someone else hasn't already done, and resembles what Soil would sound like if the vocalist began rapping. ::Shiver::

Overall, a release such as this from Grade 8 is definitely geared for the more nu-metal rap-rock crowd. Be prepared for something you've already heard.

No. It's Ryan Tooker, the voice for Grade 8. These guys sound much like Soil thru-out the first and last half of the cd, with the exception that the lyrics are spoken quicker. A few of the bass lines have the punchiness of Soil's and Tooker also possesses the ability to alter his voice to suit the mood and music. A pretty good nu-metal (if that term means squat) release. You should consider it.

now, before the actual review, i just wanna say sumthin about the thingy up top, i think if grade 8 hits the mainstream radio (whitch i do not care for that much anymore) they should kill saliva, and with a little work also mudvayne, but don't freakin say they will give OPETH a run for their money, cuz that bull. like this one other guy said before, opeth has the maturaty that no other nu metal band has.

Now, to talk about the cd. Personally i like it, yes i knoe its nu metal, (really, i HATE most nu metal like korn and lb) but for a nu metal band, and this is from a guy who listens to machine head, killswitch, 36 crazyfist etc, they are pretty good. i suggests you try them out, and if u like nu metal, definity go for them, but as for me, ill be listenin to more of machine head, but this will be in my collection

Overall this is a great cd. It's a good debut cd. I don't know why you people are laughing at them. The songs are cool but a little on the short side. The vocals are okay when the singer ain't screaming because it sounds choppy. I listened to this for about 3 months before actually getting a little bored of it.
TRACKS:
1-Brick By Brick- 10/10
2-Headcase-9/10
3-One Wish-10/10
4-Adrenachrome-8/10
5-Get it Out-9/10
6-Empire Falls-10/10
7-Let Em' Know-8/10
8-Chances-8/10
9-Deal WIth It-8/10
10-Frozen-9/10
11-Smoke n' Mirrors-8/10
12-Celebrate-10/10

Good cd but they don't really sound like Slipknot or Opeth.
New slipknot cd May 25, 2004.

So I was cruising through Amazon, looking at bands. You know, always looking for something new and 'refreshing'. Anyhow, I came across Grade 8. I'd never heard of them before. So, I figure what the hell might as well see what these guys are like. Well, I was blown away but just the samples. I then downloaded 'One Wish'. Wow! Ok I was addicted by just that song. I went out and baught the album that afternoon(this afternoon). These guys are talented. I'm blown away at how smoothly the vocalist can go from flowing to screaming to doing this growly singing thing. But it doesn't change from song to song. That's the biggest problem with these guys. Not alot of change from song to song. You know the whole sticking to what works thing, I think they took it too literally. The other problem is, these guys definately are not lyricists. Each song repeats itself over and over. I mean after 2 minutes you're wanting to skip to the next song. Don't get me wrong. I really like this CD, but first impression is it's too repetitive. However, I'm sure I'll be putting this CD on repeat for hours and hours. It's catchy. Full of energy and potential. I mean, this is their first album (right?). I'm sure these guys will become even greater in time. This is an amazing debut album, and you really have to give them credit for their energy. This is a great get up and get moving album. I'm dead tired as I'm listening to it, and I want to get up and thrash around like a maniac.
The best songs off this album are One Wish, Get It Out, Empire Falls, and Celebrate(mainly because I couldn't stop laughing when I heard this. My mother has gone around belting out this song for years. And it's just so funny hearing a man screaming out this one)
All in all, these guys are a much welcomed talent. Yes, the album has it's flaws. The band has it's flaws. But any change from those overly cloned metal bands that just refuse to go away is welcome. Pretty much you can judge the album by the 30 second samples offered. If you don't like them, you won't like the album. If you do, well that's pretty much the whole of it. I'd really like to see these guys experiment more with the vocals. I think they could do outstanding things

This is an AWESOME cd, especially since it's their FIRST attempt in the music biz!!! Sure, they aren't like Opeth, but not because they aren't as good. It's cuz they're sound is unique! Regardless of your stupid little comparisons, the cd is great. It's a rhythmic, unfortunately brief metal cd. The songs are all finely developed, especially the almost old-school style of Another Day To Celebrate. If you're into nu-metal and all that stuff, pick this one up, and ignore what the people who don't like it say!!

"Hardcore rockers Grade 8 are ready to give Mudvayne, Saliva & Opeth a run for their money."

That's what's under the "product description" above. It's right under the song samples.

First off, you can't scare off Mudvayne. True, you may consider Mudvayne nu metal, but not ordinary nu-metal, especially on "L.D. 50", as it blends in elements of prog and technical music as well. Comparing this cookie-cutter disc to a fine CD is blasphemy.

However, it is not as blasphemous as it is to Opeth! I mean, come on, can you actually compare a band who writes epic memorable songs to some lame nu-metal band that only released two forgettable albums?

Seriously, this CD is no good. Nothing special, memorable, and it's boring. If you want a good nu-metal CD, check into Deftones, 40 Below Summer, Ill Nino, OLD Mudvayne or Sevendust. And for the love of Sweet Mary, don't think that they'll pass up Opeth.