Heart-Set Self-Destruct : Monster EP

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by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer

If this band wins any points for truth in advertising, depends on your personal expectations of what a “staple of the Chicago hard rock scene” could possibly sound like. This is how the press release is describing this quartet, thus attempting to broaden the territory of the hard rock genre to now include streamlined, edgeless, if ever so mildly angsty pop-rock.

The singer’s moody whine complements perfectly the band’s fashionable, well-rehearsed melancholy with all the sleek hooks and silky arrangements unashamedly soliciting mainstream chart action.

If the band is destined for the big win or obscurity will be decided by how soon the industry will move away from a model which has Trivium and Snow Patrol at its opposite (but not too far removed from each other) ends. Heart-Set Self-Destruct fit somewhere in between and could well catch the tail end of the trend. After all, vague insincerity has never prevented a certain type of act from breaking into the marketplace.

Band:
Dave – vocals / guitars
Chris – guitars
Daniel – bass
Steve – drums

Track listing:
1. Monster
2. Rain
3. Collapse
4. Divide
5. Useless

Label: Soundmine Musicworks

Online: http://www.myspace.com/heartsetselfdestruct

Hardrock Haven rating: 6/10