T.O.W. in another's words: (excerpts from M.Manek of AudioGalaxy.com) There's a lot of rapcore out there - for the uninitiated, that's steady metallic riffs (not really melody) with spoken lyrics on top, usually full of anger and aimed at society in general. Rage Against the Machine started this trend and is still probably the widest known rapcore band - although they ran out of inspiration at some point. The trick is to put in just the right amount of emotion (rage, scorn, contempt are all good ones), throw in some catchy riffs a listener can headbang to and maybe some softer interludes for the element of surprise. There have been a lot of so-so bands around attempting a sound that would be sufficiently thorough to awe any angry young rebel, but few ever make it into the greats; there is either always something missing or the songs all blend together into a blur of shouting and riffage... Fortunately, T.O.W. doesn't have that problem. Their riffs are mighty and varied; their interludes are quite mellow, ending up just in the right place for the next explosion and their drumwork is for the most part flawless. Unwilling to stand in the middle of that bleak road of pure rapcore, T.O.W. jumps around, trampling the median strip and jamming all over the fast lane. These next pieces are so individual in their own funky metal ride, they deserve their own mini reviews. 'Personal Effects' starts off and moves along to an 80's reggae reverb guitar and funky bass for a while, then it switches to powerful metal riffs covering some excellent rock licks - makes me all nostalgic for guitar rock. On top of that sit the tightly controlled hip-hop vocals spoken powerfully and slowly by the ever-surprising Burrows. Even in the midst of the riffage explosion, the cool, smooth vox clearly control this masterpiece. 'It Breeds' changes T.O.W.'s modus operandi completely. With more pretty rock guitars alternating with staccato plucked guitar and even a digderidoo in the background; subdued whispered vocals threading their way between an angsty guitar and finally erupting into the chorus, this song's style fluctuates between guitar rock, metal and rapcore - but it's a definite must listen. While T.O.W. occasionally reminds me of Faith No More (their total control of their instruments was similarly obvious), 'It Breeds' just about surpasses FNM's best years. The menace inherent in the quiet vocals, the power of the explosive riffage, and the slinky licks add up to one groovy song. To sum up, there are three factors that make T.O.W. more than worth listening to. First of all, the tight and masterful control of instruments makes some amazing musical structures possible. Secondly, the powerful and highly malleable Burrows lends his skilled vox in just about any endeavor (funky hip-hop speech, metal screams, rock crooning and even a menacing whisper that defies description). Finally, the ability, will and eagerness to expand the boundaries of music in directions heretofore unseen. The above make for a unique sound from a unique band. Rock on!