Hardcore bands are not very difficult to find in Christian music and because of this, many artists can blend together and lack a unique feel, with that uniqueness being what ultimately draws many fans to a particular band. San Diego natives Sever Your Ties are the newest addition to the Solid State Records family, and with their debut Safety In The Sea being released the same week as Tooth & Nail's power-punk newcomers Capital Lights, it gives them a bit of a run for their money.

The album is strong as a whole. Boasting a style that is reminiscent of parent label mates Secret & Whisper, the band has a much harder feel and implements more impressive and gritty vocals throughout. Big highlights include the soaring screams of "This Is What You Get," the Underoath-esque "Captive," and the illusive "Don't Fear The Reaper" cover from Blue Oyster Cult tacked on at the end. Each song seems to flow very well into the next, and songs like "Drifting," "To The Pacific" (which boasts some of the best guitar work on the entire record), and the impressive "Things Are Better (Left Unsaid)" incorporate synth sounds on top of the grungy guitar, which makes for an eclectic listening experience. Mixing both screaming and melody in nearly every track, Sever Your Ties seems to know what works in hardcore and what doesn't, and really showcases their talent on all fronts.

Lyrically, the band shows something strong as well, even if some of the wording can be deemed as lacking spiritual depth. The lyrics can be quite cryptic, but not all the songs are, like with the album opener "Voice Like a Nova," where it gives the imagery of thinking before you speak, "How long will you foolish ones, live your simple ways, and simple ones hate knowledge, we should think before we say." "Ashamed" is one of the most spiritual songs, featuring lyrics like, "I feel ashamed for what it's worth / and I can't complain cause I'm still loved / This is everything, is it enough?" The song paints the image of giving God everything in our lives.

If you're looking for a new hardcore band to dive into this summer, look no further than this impressive debut from Sever Your Ties. Don't overlook these guys, as they really have no place to go other than up from such a diverse and refreshing debut.

- Review date: 7/9/08, written by Justin Mabee