To say there had been a keen interest in Seemless (Who formed in 2003) from various record labels long before this Worcester group had even recorded a note wouldn’t be far from the truth. After all, you only have to see who makes up this impressive line up to see why.

Seemless is the new band featuring ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse David Leach, ex-Overcast/Medium guitarist Pete Cortese, ex-Medium bassist Kevin Schuler (Who has since been replaced by ex-Stoneface member Jeff Fultz) and ex-Shadows Fall/Medium drummer Derek Kerswill.

But the real surprise in store here is the fact that Seemless are as about as far removed from their past as they could be here. Unlike what their collective past endeavours may have hinted at, Seemless don’t sound anything metalcore related, but instead have adopted a stoner/seventies inspired riff rock feel with some modern day influences.

Originally released by the independent label Losing Face Records in 2004, Equal Vision Records have saw the potential in Seemless, which has now resulted in this remastered (Although there’s no proof in the album credits) ‘second chance’ re-release of the groups debut album, as well as a another opportunity at getting some well deserved exposure.

The effect laden doom like feel of ‘Intro’ quickly moves into the very Kyuss/early Queens Of The Stone Age sounding start of ‘Something’s Got To Give’, before settling into a thick rock groove that sounds as laid back (With Leach’s very melodic singing style) as much as it is driving (Cortese’s guitar riffs).

‘The Wanderer’, ‘Lay My Burden Down’ (The lead off single) and ‘The Crisis’ bring out a heavier side to the band with their faster pacing (Making them all stand out as the best tracks on the album), but if it were not for the catchy chorus within ‘Soft Spoken Sanity’, the said track would be considered somewhat bland.

The atmospheric and understated ‘Endless’ almost seems to suffer the same fate, but it eventually twists and turns midway through to reveal hidden talents within Leach to maximise his previously unknown clean vocal ability through layering his vocals.

A thick and heavy southern vibe is induced within ‘War/Peace’, while a similar feel is generated in the speedier ‘In My Time Of Need’.

‘In This Life’ (Preceded by the short acoustic instrumental ‘All Is Not Lost’) is another mid paced rocker, before ending things with a solid live version of ‘Maintain’ (Recorded at Sirius National Broadcast Studios in 2004). Although claimed as an added bonus track, it’s actually a little misleading considering that it replaces ‘Haze’ from the original release.

Fans of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Overcast and Medium may find the change of direction in Seemless a little bewildering, but for those with a taste for classic seventies riff rock will find this a promising release (Not a classic as some would have you believe), with a potential for greater things on the horizon.

» seemlessband.com