TRUSTcompany - The Lonely Position of Neutral

It’s all here – the obligatory chord crunching, the arena-sized vocal hooks and, of course, the inane screams that sounds like it should rumble from a chest-beating Tarzan. Yes, if you couldn’t detect already, the new metal plague has invaded the immunity of yet another crew of aspiring musicians. Meet TRUSTcompany: an outfit of four Alabama based musicians formerly known under the moniker of 41 Down who plan to cash in huge on the new metal propaganda running the heavy music scene with their debut, The Lonely Position of Neutral. However, despite the negative connotation of “new metal,” TRUSTcompany can sculpt mature melodics from a vocalist who can sincerely sing more genuinely than nearly every imbedded act monopolizing radio. Although that solitary asset weighs heavily in the band’s overall appeal, TRUSTcompany become bogged down when they attempt to fit the formula of popularity rather than write quality rock songs. Specifically, on such tracks as “Downfall,” Kevin Palmer strews a somewhat compelling melodic voice – if vacant of originality – before blunt-headed bludgeoning permeates through the song in the form of respectability depleting growls. Perhaps the best cut squandered off of this debut disc is “Deeper Into You,” a track that pleasantly opts for atmospheric touches rather than boring guitar riffage and pleasingly subsides with the primate screams. But what more can you say about a band consciously attempting to morph into the mold desired for rock radio playlists and MTV airplay? It’ll fit within the gap of all the Linkin Parks and Puddle of Mudds in the world and remain completely forgettable. Their album title of The Lonely Position of Neutral is perhaps a bit more ironic than they intended. But, sadly, their position is not so lonely with all the bands succumbing to common grounds of sheer drivel. So, lucky for them, they have some company at the bottom tier of rock music. [www.trustcompanyband.com]