Left to themselves,
Closer Than Kin don't seem to display anything spectacular on their full-length,
The Machineries of Breath. The great volume of their approach is similar to that of many other screamy metal-core bands, and playing on a bill with such groups as
American Nightmare or A.F.I. would seem appropriate. What really sets them apart -- and in a negative way, unfortunately -- are the sung vocals that try to complement the capable growls. These sung vocals come across as a poor man's version of Maynard James Keenan of Tool, and stick out about as much as possible, enough to make
The Machineries of Breath go from an average album to one that is hard to take seriously. With some refinement and creativity, perhaps the vocals might be brought into play in a manner in which they would be better suited. But in a time when there is so much hardcore to choose from, the 11 songs on this release hardly seem worth it. ~ Kurt Morris