First off is As Cities Burn's Self titled 2002 demo. This demo really shows the roots of ACB, obviously because it's their first release. The CD shows alot more of early 90's emotive music (although they formed in 02). They don't have anywhere as much screaming as their first album (Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest). The CD has alot of good material that was recycled into the album though. I hate when bands just trash some old demos; the least you could do is reissue it as a demo version as a bonus track for people who can't find the demo online or can't find a hard copy. Recommended to fans of: Sunny Day Real Estate and Saetia. Overall Rating: 6.9/10
Secondly is As Cities Burn's extremely rare "The White" demo. There is no proof this was ever an official release; but this surely can't be any other band than As Cities Burn. You can just tell if your an ACB fan. This demo was nowhere near as heavy as the first album, it was actually even lighter than the bands first demo. Most of these tracks were demos lamenting about the loss of the cody and Tj Bonnette's (ex-vocalist and guitarist/(now)vocalist) father (who left them as children (or that's atleast what the lyrics state)). Now this material i think was favored over most of the other demo material. It really didn't represent ACB in anyway, not even as an evolutionary stage. It seemed like the musicians may have just been stuck in a rut and depressed when recording this release. Although no one knows about it, you all should go out and search for a internet download and listen to this lost gem. Recommended to fans of: Sunny Day Real Estate and A Silver Mt. Zion. Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Thirdly is As Cities Burn's 2003 demo. This demo really sheds light on ACB's material. This is really their evolution stage towards "Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest". This material progresses alot more into screamo with emotive elements that start to dwindle away a little bit. This is really a rough-cut 3 track demo that was rerecorded in the full length. There were alot less screams and "The Nothing That Kills" was different, and slightly shorter than it's album version. This demo really shows that they pushed to get their sound, there's alot of drive and balls put into it. The guys deserve recognition, because they did a good job for what has become known as more of a promo demo. This demo got marketed to tooth and nail records and luckily got them signed to it. The guys deserve it for such hard work. Recommended to fans of: Saetia, Tunes For Bears To Dance To, and Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?. Overall Rating: 7/10
Fourthly and finally for As Cities Burn is their 2007 promo demo. This release came as a promo for the people that pre-ordered their '07 sophomore album "Come Now, Sleep". The CD has demos of their 3 main singles for the album "The Hoard", "New Sun", and "Tides"; and also included a live acoustic set of "The Widow" being played at the Cornerstone christian rock festival in early summer of 2007. The only reason i downloaded it was because i looked down upon the new album. I'll explain: ACB went through a tumultuous phase in 2006 (ironically right after the show i ended up missing out on). The band stated they were going to break up because TJ was leaving to get married and move in with his new wife while Pascal (bassist) also left the band. TJ's brother cody took over on vocals. He originally did all the clean vocals; which totally changed the style for the upcoming sophomore album. That is the main reason i didn't like it. But now i've been to thinking, and i sort of have picked up on liking the new album because it really embodies this new genre of post-screamo that has been put on earth by the band's labelmates MewithoutYou. Recommended to fans of: Death Cab For Cutie (transatlanticism/plans phase), Dance Gavin Dance, and MewithoutYou. Overall Rating: 7.2/10
Lastly is my friend's band Sordid's demo. I was in florida just chilling on vacation. I came down for a swim while wearing my new norma jean shirt that i bought all the way from indonesia (it sadly only lasted 3-4 wearings b4 i grew out of it because it was small). I walked past this guy and he commented me on the shirt. I went to the bar and had a nice talk to him about mathcore (because thats what i was into in 2006/2007 haha). I contacted him and added his band after i got home and stuff and he ended up mailing me a free demo and everything. Sordid's music is rather odd though. I don't know whether to consider them metal or hard-rock. They have alot of metal elements and screaming; but yet their vocals that come in totally throw it off. I really consider Sordid as a really ambitious Alternative metal band. They have alot of potential; it's just, the right people haven't discovered them yet. I had a good laugh when i found out there was a bonus track hidden in the 3 track demo. It was a alt metal/metalcore cover of "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones; which was rather enjoyable, although short. Hopefully i can purchase their full length... if they don't have anymore setbacks to the point that they'll never release it haha. Recommended to fans of: Machine Head. Overall Rating: 7/10
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