Alternative rock/metal from USA, second and latest full-length albums released in 2010 and 2012.
Under The Flood is a high-energy hard-hitting rock band from Central Virginia. Their dynamic sound was described by Revolver magazine as having “keen melodic interplay, regardless of whether they’re kickin’ it hard or soft.” The band provides today’s audiences with smart, but accessible rock, that appeals to even the most discriminating of taste
Formed in 2005, brothers Matt and Dave Nadolski came together to create an honest sound that would resonate with listeners from all walks of life. The duo teamed up with local bassist Kenn Davis, Kentucky-native Brandon Sidebottom, and Russell Lee, former Deepfield drummer from Charleston, SC. With an in-your-face high-energy live show and a relentless touring ethic, Under The Flood is making their stamp in the rock industry. Their debut record The Witness was produced by Brian Craddock (Daughtry), mixed by Skidd Mills (Saliva, Saving Abel), and released worldwide by Koch Records in May 2008.
Under the Flood has recently teamed up with Join or Die Records to release their highly-anticipated sophomore album Alive In The Fire, which was produced by Andy Waldeck (Earth To Andy) and Kevin Murphy (Tonic, Josh Gracin). The new Album showcases the group’s growth and maturity as a band. It sheds light on a darker side of Under the Flood while maintaining their trademark melodic sound and lyrical substance.
Under The Flood is a band destined to be huge. Slick, stylish and songs filled with plenty of angst, these guys are going to be the next poster children for the tormented youth of today. Managing to bring a little guitar heaviness into the world inhabited by Nickleback and those of their ilk, Under The Flood is another in the ceaseless flood of vanilla flavored music that dominates the airwaves today. Following the same formula laid out by many of their predecessors, this is a band that is trying but needs to find its own identity before they fall into the quagmire that MTV and today's radio has created.
They do tend to keep it a bit heavier than most bands of this nature but still stick way to close to the formula that you have heard time and time again. Songs like "Wake Up" "The Moment" and "Healing" all fall into the same category of glorified power ballad and will have you saying I have heard this stuff before while the first single "Gravity" and the title track "Alive In The Fire" both hold promise as to the possibilities of what this band can produce.
There is also the obligatory ballad "Holding On" which should bring out the lighters in mass wherever they perform. It is a decent song but they seem to be just going through the motions and ticking off another one to round out the album. It is very generic and once again has no spice to entice you. As with the whole disc, there is a sense that they are aiming for what others have been successful with and forgot about creating their own sound.
The instrumental "Long Way Up" is interesting with its Eastern style and what sounds like a sitar at times but it still is just a short burst that struggles to rise above mediocrity.
There is tons of potential in this band. Lead singer Dave Nadolski has a great range and terrific pipes! He definitely has the tools to take this band far beyond this effort. With a bit more experience under the belt, these guys should be able to turn it up a notch or two and when they do, watch out! I hope that they decide to be themselves and create instead of imitate.
/ XBTT (1) by Dejavu