Checkmate is one of the many metalcore bands that seem to exist to put out angry sounding records that show a lot of brainless stomping furious energy. What holds me back on this album is that there is a sense of exhaustion that builds as the album wears on. It's all pretty standard stuff that's been done before, and done better. From opening riff of "Death by slip" to closing number "By any means necessary", Checkmate seem destined to run around in circles with their mediocre performance, not to mention the unoriginal approach and styling of their music.
There isn't a whole lot here that personally appeals to me. I get the feeling that fans of the genre (The Devil Wears Prada, Adept, Dillinger Escape Plan) might get a kick out of this record, might ad..