Al bEdo - tunnel vision

Al Bedo 

Tunnel Vision
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Al Bedo is a hardcore band from Denton Texas that recently released Tunnel Vision. The album is a blur of white noise, guitars and screaming/singing that reminded me somewhat of the Blood Brothers’ vocalist if he decided to shred his vocal chords even more then he has. Their music pays homage to some of the pioneers such as Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Chariot.

What's really unique about this music is that they find a delicate balance between hardcore punk and metal which many bands have tried to achieve but few have accomplished without sounding contrived. After listening to this album from top to bottom I was floored by the vocal performance by Trace Taylor. His voice is nonstop throughout the album and creates both utter chaos and pure energy. Take for instance the end of “This Is Hopeless” which layers his vocals and starts to sound like something from the depths of hell. I have no idea how he can do that. If he couldn't talk for a week afterwards I wouldn't be surprised. The music here often soars and feels huge because of the guitars not unlike that of a band like Deafheaven.

The first song “Origin” doesn't waste too much time before getting in your grill. The constant changes and inventive guitar are impressive to say the least. If anything else you can't say these guys are boring. There is no way you won't be paying attention. The first song was hard but the second song “Tunnel Vision” is not for the feint of heart. Layers of guitars, screaming, and double bass drum bombard your senses leaving you with no time to rest. While hardly something that you will hear on mainstream radio “Lambent” unveiled some very catchy melodies beneath the beds of noise. Saving the best for last is “This is Hopeless,” which has some of the best guitar work on the album. The song reaches its apex around the three-minute mark before stopping on a dime to leave us with the ether of the aftermath.

What is most amazing to me about this album is that it was recorded in an apartment and mixed and mastered by the band and you would never know it. DIY at some of its best right here - check out Al Bedo.

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