SECOND COMING "13"

Seattle's Second Coming have triumphantly returned in 2003 with an stunning release to follow their major label debut in 98 and it should be noted that if the entire management structure of former label, Capitol, had not crumbled then it would most likely be that this album would have appeared on the same label. The band were indeed the victims of a truly unfortunate set of circumstances that, sadly, seems to be all too common place in the heady world of music, I wonder which shit boy band the new order at Capitol decided to sign after dumping Second Coming?

Second Coming boast an arsenal of talented musicians and songwriters but it is, without doubt, the trademark vocals of Travis Bracht that gives the band a distinctive sound and the added bonus of still having producer Kelly Gray, who did such a sterling job on the debut, on board has given the album a unique dark and yet atmospheric feel.

The strong opener "Heaven (is a Loaded Gun)" is a stomping riff lead attack with a lovely haunting mid section guitar break, I bet this is a killer live! My own personal favourites besides this are "Thank You" and the bands brilliant tribute to the victims of 9/11 "Liberty Man" which is a "Fuck You I'm a proud American" song but by no means a weepy ballad.

In truth, however, it is unfair to pick out individual songs as the strength of "13" is how it holds up as a complete album and how it makes a complete mockery of Second Coming's status as an independent artist. If there is any justice then a major label will pick this up but then again a major already had it and let it go and if there were justice in rock then we would never have been subjected to Durst, Kid Rock and the like.