I’m going to file this one under “keep at it kids,” as local band Socially Inept have a long road ahead of them before they can even touch the hem of obvious influence Tool’s garment. The most noticeable thing about this recording, besides some dubious production quality, is that this is a very young band with ambitions slightly beyond their capabilities. I certainly can’t fault them for said ambition and it bodes well for the future output of the band. They do best when they power past any technical shortcomings and straight up make a bloody racket as on rager Fight Club. Singer Troy Stiles’ voice certainly fares better as a hellish scream than on the EP’s quieter/downtempo moments where it tends to falter and lose pitch. This is a band that needs to grow into its sound but has enough raw talent for that maturation to bear fruit.

Published in Volume 67, Number 26 of The Uniter (May 29, 2013)