When one thinks of Knoxville, Tennessee, a five-member band fronted by a female who can scream and sing with any dude on the scene is probably not what first comes to mind. However, after listening to their debut for Koch Records, When Skies Wash Ashore, Straight Line Stitch is just that. Vocalist Alexis Brown is somehow able to straddle the incredibly fine line of sounding ethereal and feminine while still being able to produce rage-filled growls that would make even the roughest and toughest guys take notice. Perhaps it is due to the decidedly un-metal reputation of its hometown that allowed the members of Straight Line Stitch to acquire the confidence to try something risky as opposed to staying with the tried and true. It would be unwise to dismiss Straight Line Stitch as some type of Evanescence-soundalike. They offer an intriguing take on the traditional metalcore template.

Holding everything together so Brown is free to execute her vocal gymnastics are guitarists Seth Thacker and Pat Pattison, bassist Jason White, and drummer Patrick Haynes. Reinforcing the fact that Straight Line Stitch is definitely heading in the direction towards national recognition, Jamey Jasta, lead singer for Hatebreed, lends Brown and the boys his vocal support for the hard-edged song “Taste of Ashes.” Jasta does not take over the song by any means. He fits his performance snugly into what Straight Line Stitch, and especially Brown, is imparting.

“What You Can Do to Me” is one of two songs that separate itself from the relentless metallic onslaught as it begins with a cool, almost funky bass groove. This track has the feel of a song that was written for radio. There is nothing wrong with that - getting on the radio is still a significant way for a new band to get itself heard. It’s disappointing that Straight Line Stitch’s more prevalent fare will probably never be heard on commercial radio, but that’s not their fault.

The album’s closer, “Yesterday’s Gone” is even more of a departure from the band’s overall sound. It’s just some acoustic guitars and Brown’s voice lamenting over a lost love. It’s a song that has been written, sung, and heard a thousand times from a thousand other bands, but hearing Brown showcase her voice like this after peeling the proverbial paint off the walls is quite an experience to behold.

When Skies Wash Ashore is a recorded document of what Straight Line Stitch is performing on the road this summer. It’s energy-filled, loud, yet somehow like nothing else out there right now.

www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch