Customer Reviews

The Invalid

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I first heard of CLANDESTINE shortly after moving to Los Angeles in 2008. I was waiting in line to see the Kidney-Thieves perform and started chatting with the girl in line next to me. She mentioned that she was in a band called CLANDESTINE and that they would be recording an album soon. I managed to make it out to a show of theirs soon after this and was completely blown away both visually and sonically. The lead singer June has some of the most amazing pipes currently in the music industry. I snapped up a copy of this album when they were producing it themselves and am super excited to see it now available for mass consumption.

Rarely do I like every song on an album, but this is one of the golden exceptions. Each song on the album has it's own distinct flavor while still retaining a fundamentally cohesive sound that pulls you through. Regardless of whether you enjoy leaping around and thrashing about or relaxing and listening to beautifully ethereal melodies you will find something to like here. CLANDESTINE has created a special soundscape combining the best of metal, electronica, alt rock, and progressive rock that simply must be experienced.

Buy it, listen to it, and enjoy. You will not be disappointed.

If you don't get this album yet,that might be a waste of your music life...

For the small price tag to own this CD or download you get a recording that will blow your socks off. I met the band through MySpace and like so many others that knocked on my door I gave their demos a listen. Wow ! I liked them so much that I ordered their CD and have enjoyed it ever since. I hope they work their way to Oklahoma so my friends and I can see them live. Great stuff.

Clandestine is an american progressive metal band from Los Angeles. They formed in 2006, released a self-titled `Clandestine' EP (2007) and their first full length album `The Invalid' (2011). The band consisted of June Park (vocals & programming), Dan Durakovich (guitars & programming), Mark Valencia (bass) and Sammy J. Watson (drums). Their marketing PR states "Clandestine is a truly unique band, combining progressive rock with female fronted metal, a touch of electronic music that enhances the futuristic timbre, and some smooth huge pop melodies. 'The Invalid' is a must for fans of bands as diverse as Evanescence, Dream Theater, Fair To Midland, Rush, Lacuna Coil, Tool and Between The Buried & Me".

'Fearless' incorporates an intro that reminds of a sci-fi movie soundtrack, before moving into progressive hard rock territory with simplistic lyrics. It's not until 'Disappear In You' that they break into full flow with June's soaring vocals, crunchy riffs and orchestral keyboard sweeps. "All my life I've never wanted someone just like you / Falling into fear / And I can't trust myself with you".

June makes good use of her soft, sensual tone during the gentler passages of `Silent Sin'. Although it is hard to get a grip of what exactly is going on, it builds to a crescendo "No one behind / There you stand / Slowing down / Silent sin / From within / In your skin I breathe". Next is one of their heaviest songs, `Philistine' as the pace and percussion ramps up. It also features vocal overlays and effects, as well as harsh, throaty screams. Then they fall back on another keyboard led ballad, which does feel slightly forced. `Fracture' thrusts its way back to hard rock underpinned by a magnificent section of bass riffs and technical drumming.

`Dead To The World' allows time for the band to express themselves, with time changes and interplay between the differing combinations of guitar, keys and inventive rhythm section. You might be mislead into thinking that `Phantom Pain' is going to be yet another gentle ballad, until it gradually starts to build into a darker place. "This pain in the phantom limb / These chains on the phantom heart / Too faint, the smell of spirit / Too far, the sound of your voice".

There is a tremulous, skittering air to `The Invalid' with its tick-tock pacing and staccato riffing. June unleashes more harsh screaming to express the anguish contained in the lyrics as it reflects upon wasted chances. "Let me out of this / Prison's my body / Tears my soul apart / I'm screaming inside out". Finally, `Comatose' is another hard rock masterpiece that allows the rolling bassline to have fuller range.