RIKETS

Cleveland's RIKETS plays a style of aggressive/melodic music that is, in many ways, quintessentially nu-metal (circa late '90s to turn of the century),which is not intended to be a dig, simply a statement of fact. Admittedly, the band's five-song "Anything for the Devil" EP is not something I'd typically spin in my CD player. Setting aside personal listening preferences for a moment, the band does have a knack for writing catchy songs with punch, and do so well enough to keep me from recoiling in disgust. By the way, in case anyone cares, the group contains former members of SWITCHED, ERASE THE GREY, and GENITORTURERS.

Pretty much everything that defines nu-metal has been utilized at one point or another on "Anything for the Devil", from the croaky Jonathan Davis (KORN) parts on "Hollywood" to the fat chug and programmed electronics on the verses to the clean harmony vocals and lead screaming on the choruses. In fact, "Hollywood" uses all these elements. The heavy grooves and anguished rage vocals that ultimately turn into the soaring pretty stuff has been driven into the ground. Luckily, for those wanting more meat on the bone, the heaviness factor present here isn't too bad.

I won't go so far as to say that "Anything for the Devil" will convert the average diehard "real" metal fan, but it should please those with a preference for the broader-appeal/commercially-viable brand of "metal." It still strikes me as sappy as hell and way too glossy, but I don't have to love it to find value in it. I'll stay away from any commentary concerning the band's "image" or "look." In short, it sounds to me like the band accomplished exactly what it set out to do.