Releasing their debut EP through Tribunal Records five months ago, He Is Legend has since signed with Solid State to release the fast-paced, highly likeable I Am Hollywood.

At first listen, you will be bombarded with melody after melody colliding with the sounds of metal guitar riffs and the growls found therein. Quite frankly, it will more likely than not sound like a mess to your unsuspecting ears. But further listens to this blend of emocore, metal, and a twinge of punk will prove your first impressions wrong. Though some may not agree, He Is Legend is very, very good.

Vocalist Schulyar Croom sings, screams, and growls during I Am Hollywood's thirty-eight minute run time. The only real complaint might only be a complaint to some. The vocals and music are so spastic, so random and seemingly unplanned pertaining to the next moment of music, that it might seem a bit thrown together.

The lyrics are satirical from beginning to end. However, it's hard to decide what exactly it is that He Is Legend is mocking. "I Am Hollywood just mainly harps on the creepy side of the city that is acclaimed for making your dreams come true," says Croom, "It just seems like such a joke... where everything is fake and over-produced." Hollywood and it's many clones and falsehoods might be the overriding theme, but deciding what each song individually is trying to specify is mostly a challenge.

The absolute obnoxious tinge of this entire record will turn off many (Some even in the form of hardcore/metal fans), but there is a lot to like about He Is Legend. I was a skeptic myself at first, but repeated listens have made me of fan. If they aren't your cup of tea at first listen, give I am Hollywood a few more spins before making a final judgment.

- Review date: 11/07/04, written by Josh Taylor