SPECIAL OPS – Phase 2: Amidst The Madness

“If you’ve got a dream, get off your fat ass and make it happen!” This is a little note sent to you from Special Ops. If you are a fan of Alice In Chains or Korn, Special Ops may be for you. With a more distorted Hard Rock theme to their music, they are ready to be heard in their album Phase 2: Amidst The Madness.

They open this album with “Anger Is Creeping.” This song starts off with heavy guitars and a sinister bass. Along with Aber Froman’s harsh vocals, this track sends out a very heavy vibe. The music in this song is a mix of Metal and Rock with an extreme catchiness to it.

Opening up with an exotic theme and low speaking voice is “Better Off.” With demanding yet whispering vocals (that tend to become jerky at parts), this song takes flight into a cool guitar solo. Returning to the harsh whispering vocals, then going into a slight scream, this song ends quickly.

“Damn Yourself” is the next runner up. It opens with a clean guitar and cymbals, then introduces a choppy melody. With Aber’s voice sounding much like Jonathan Davis (the lead singer from Korn), this song shows more of Special Ops’ Hard Rock qualities. Switching from faded harsh vocals to clean choppy ones, this song takes you for a ride.

“Feel For You” follows this tough song. This track welcomes you with another catchy guitar, but opens you to a smoother side of Aber with his voice very clear and calm. This track is much softer than the other tracks on this album.

Jamming into your head with a very bassy intro, “Felony” is after “Fell For You.” With well-known jerky and harsh vocals, again the band lets you know that they’re not saps. This track switches back and forth from angry vocals to firm, yet clean singing, and this song plays a little “what next?” with you.

“Front Of The Line” follows with a nice beat. With lead playing along with the drums, this band finds another way to just invite your head to bounce. Aber’s voice seems to speak in tune during this song, giving a new unique vocal style to Special Ops. Then, they end it with a guitar solo.

Entering you back into the world of calm is “George.” With clean guitar, little bass, rhythmic drums, and a smooth voice, this song lingers into distorted and emotive vocals. Telling about disappointment, they let you into some hardships they have encountered, showing the personal side to this album.

With an astounding and utterly haunting guitar introduction, “Here I Go” contributes the most badass intro this band has to offer. After this Middle-Eastern intro, they hit you with a Metal twist. This is yet another upbeat song.

“Tri Five” enters with a shadowy voice that transforms much like the vocals do in “Front Of The Line.” “You” then joins in this demanding chain, closing the album with a more rhythmic path.