Album Review: Sound Cannon – “Let The Light In” EP

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There is something to be said about the melding of pop/punk and metal. When aggression is mellowed out by simplistic song structure and hooks, a sonic expression is able to be formed that is appealing to a large audience. To say that Sound Cannon is simplistic would be a fallacy, but they have a certain way of returning to the roots of pop/punk that is easy on the ears and comfortable to many music listeners. They retain artistic dignity by adding a heavy metal flare that burns through your speakers, leaving a small scar on what you once thought was pop metal.

Sound Cannon’s Let The Light In EP has everything you could ask for in pop/punk. A singer whose voice is sweet and melodic,  flowing right over the heavily distorted guitar, backed by a proficient bass guitarist who uses slap speed to add bottom end to an already pounding drum beat. Yet, they don’t resort to easy three chord punk; where after the C minor chord, a chorus has to start. No, Sound Cannon believes that verses are defined by the flair in the guitar riffs, and that break neck speed is where true expression is formed. The choruses in Let The Light In are absolutely infectious. They plant themselves inside your head so that you can walk to the beat of a expert drummer.

Godspeed, the opening track to Let The Light In is fast. The guitar relies on saturated tone and string skipping to bring your attention to the overall hook. The vocals juxtapose such intensity in an inviting upbeat sound, where even though things get serious, there is no need to not have fun. Following a verse-chorus-verse-breakdown structure, an arpeggiated guitar solo kicks in. This sort of virtuosic element is really where the band shines. Punky Town is an exhilarating and quick song that will snatch your attention in seconds flat: reminiscent of old New Found Glory with a little Pennywise mixed in.

A “party hard” vibe is found interwoven throughout most of the EP.

Sureshot is one of the heavier songs on Let The Light In. It opens up with a modern metal style lick sure to melt your face, but then slows down the instant the vocals come in, falling into a power ballad feel. Something to take note of is the instrument solos scattered throughout the last half of the song. The bass is superb, using all sorts of styles to prove the talent within the player, and the drums are fast heavy and pulsating. But, something to really take note of is the guitar solo. Most bands these days hope that they can “wow” their fans with a few quick finger taps, but Sound Cannon thinks the opposite. The guitar solo at the end sounds similar to something found on the latest Metallica album. Pure musicianship and an understanding/mastering of the instrument. One thing that should be noted about Sound Cannon is that their guitarist was diagnosed with a optic disorder (eyes) at a young age, and has been unable to see since he was 13. That aside, he is by far one of the best shredders I’ve heard in a while…

There is not an untalented musician in Sound Cannon. They all have their own style, but they all blend together like a 3 three cheese fondue: perfect and complimentary, but not giving up individuality. Sound Cannon combines two polar opposite genres and creates a signature sound incorporating talent, maturity, and individuality.