One gets the impression that the Dayton metalcore group Witness is still establishing its identity. The band, while relatively unknown outside of Ohio, have landed a number of high profile gigs in-state and are planning a tour through the Eastern US soon with fellow Ohioans The Rose Hill. Plainly, this band takes their craft seriously.
Of Great Importance serves primarily as a means of wheting the appetites of fans for the live shows, and more importantly the band’s future. “F.E.A.R.” covers all the facets of the Witness sound, mixing in a bit of programming, clean vocals, and metalcore that sounds kind of like With Roots Above, Branches Below-era The Devil Wears Prada. No auto-tune here – everything is raw, including the cleans. The downside is the raw-ness of the cleans might be off putting to some, since these are the first kind of vocals we hear on the EP at all. The balance of the lead in track and “Infamous” will make the listener forget any perceived missteps however. The lead-in to “Infamous” does sound a bit familiar – similar to As I Lay Dying’s “Nothing Left,” but not a rip-off. The guitar work is ethereal and haunting, and will leave you wanting more as the last riff trails off. “The Ledger” is a desperate, if slightly familiar sounding rocker while “Lock Stock” lays on the electronic programming more liberally. The band thankfully never crosses over to crabcore territory, preferring to maintain that precarious balance of metal, hardcore, and pop elements.
Witness are still finding themselves, no doubt. The talent and songwriting ability are present enough that they have the potential to go far. May they be on the 2014 Warped tour!
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