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My Private Hell: Suicide EP

My Private Hell: Suicide EP

Alternative/Modern Metal
Rating: 3.5/5.0

Independent/Self Promotion
www.myspace.com/myprivatehell
Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.24.2009

My Private Hell is an upstart alternative metal trio based out of Southern California. The principal is lyricist, vocalist and guitarist Gian Erguiza who is helped in composition and backed up by Blue Palacol on bass and Eric Cuarez on drums. Suicide, their second EP in four years, is an interesting, if not rough, collection of alternative metal songs with modern nuances that show creativity and promise.

Positively, My Private Hell, though having modern tones, are not another modern American metal band with unintelligible harsh, screaming vocals, an emphasis on constant riffing, and the usual simple blast beats. Gian's vocals are clear and clean, and he can actually play an inspiring guitar solo. Also their arrangements show variation in pace and style, as on 'Temptation' and 'I'm Alive,' that could lend them a progressive label in time. However, like most modern American metal and rock acts, their lyrical content pushes towards despondent angst (which is hardly novel in this day).

'Suicide' begins the album with a quick pace within a derivative modern style. It could be easily skipped except it previews the excellent rhythm section of Palacol and Cuarez. (They are quite good throughout this work.) 'Destroy' is an improvement as we're first introduced to Gian' fret work with a slick but short solo. 'Temptation' is clearly the best song on the album: it's a more subtle, melodic arrangement with great variation in composition. Cuarez's drumming is superb, and Gian sparkles in solo. 'I'm Alive' blends elements of traditional and modern metal by dovetailing a mix of thrash and hardcore between softer segues. Finally, the work ends with promising 'SVD,' a song with strong riffs, a solid groove, and Gian's finest fret work. However, the song is destroyed by Gian's incessant vulgarity where he is constantly dropping the f-bomb for expression. I barely suffered through the piece.

Negatively, but hopefully constructively, My Private Hell needs to work on two things. First, they need to find a lead vocalist as Gian's vocals are simply flat and uninspiring. This would allow him to expand his guitar abilities (which are quite good). Second, the production on Suicide is poor at best. My Private Hell needs to get under the wing of a good producer, who knows expert engineers and mixers, that can bring out the best of the band's talents in a crisper atmosphere.

My Private Hell's Suicide EP is an ambitious and promising, but rough, platter of alternative metal from this young band. The songs are well crafted and delivered with great performances by every member. However, the work suffers from ventures into derivative modern styles, monotonous lead vocals, and poor production. The potential is there, and My Private Hell can only get better and go farther in the future.

In Short

My Private Hell's Suicide EP is an ambitious and promising, but rough, platter of alternative metal from this young band. The songs are well crafted and delivered with great performances by every member. However, the work suffers from some ventures into derivative modern styles, monotonous lead vocals, and poor production. The potential is there, and My Private Hell can only get better and go farther.

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