When signed with in 2001, fans' reactions ranged from elation to knee-jerk pessimism. Some followers were thrilled that Cleveland's best-kept secret had hooked up with a major label and hoped that the headbangers would finally receive the sort of national success they deserved; pessimists feared that a corporate powerhouse like would neuter and try to take away their risk-taking spirit. On a creative level, is the first album that really tests 's relationship with ; it's the first album they actually recorded for , whereas their previous album, , was originally an indie release before remastered and re-released it. As it turns out, the pessimists had nothing to worry about; is no less adventurous than 's pre- output. sounds quite focused but never comes across as contrived, and longtime followers will be happy to know that this 2003 release is state-of-the-art -- forceful, loud, and in your face, but melodic and intricate as well. Bombast is still an important part of the picture, although not at the expense of musicality. And true to form, continues to find inspiration in a variety of music. remains the foundation -- they're an band first and foremost -- but , , and are still effective, tastefully applied ingredients. has inspired a variety of interesting comparisons; reviewers have mentioned everyone from to and when describing . But truth be told, had a distinctive, recognizable sound (and a devoted cult following in Cleveland) long before , or broke through commercially -- and it would be a huge mistake to think that is actually trying to emulate any other artists. is the work of metalheads who have never been afraid to be original -- a band that, creatively, doesn't lose a thing on this disc. ~ Alex Henderson