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Entwine: Painstained

Entwine: Painstained

Modern Melodic Hard Rock/Metal
Rating: 3.75/5.0

Spinefarm
www.entwine.org
www.myspace.com/entwineofficial
Added January 31, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

Entwine are on the wrong side of the Atlantic: their music would be well-suited for the American market. Beginning as a death metal band (of sorts) in Finland, Entwine has morphed into a melodic hard rock and metal band wrapped in a modern music wrapper. Entwine's style can be as equally dark and moody, heavy and melodic, as their American cousins; and Mika Tauriainen's swarthy good looks, fashion and vocals will invoke suspicions of rock stardom. Oh, by the way, he's a darn good singer, too.

Painstained begins on an ordinary note with 'Soul Sacrifice,' an easily dismissible piece. But the modern nuances kick in with the quick and melodic,'The Strife' This continues through the next four songs with mixed results, ranging from plodding to quick arrangements of modern melodic hard rock. Notably, a song like 'Lost In My Denial' is saved by a provocative guitar solo. But the true highlight and best song on the work is 'Beautifully Confined' where calculated heaviness and melody dovetail with a catchy chorus to create a marvelous song. If Entwine continues on this track, they will have a great thing going in future releases. To the end, you can basically push repeat. Of the last four songs, most significant are the more melodic quasi-metal numbers including the near progressive, 'Hollow,' and the quick and assertive 'Caught By Desire.'

Entwine's 'Painstained' is a sufficiently pleasing, yet sometimes repetitious, platter of modern, post-grunge, rock and metal that will appeal to fans of current rock music trends, especially in North America. Though a bit too pensive and angst-ridden for me, I still enjoyed it.

In Short

Entwine's 'Painstained' is a sufficiently pleasing, yet sometimes repetitious, platter of modern, post-grunge, rock and metal that will appeal to fans of current rock music trends especially in North America. Though a bit too pensive and angst-ridden for me, I still enjoyed it.

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