Subterranean Sound

There are plenty of metal bands out there which believe that heavy, distorted power chords and screeching vocals can somehow substitute for legitimate musical prowess and expertise.

Most of these acts follow the same general formula. Begin with a raucous and aggressive guitar riff. Pause sporadically to build tension. Then unleash an ear-piercing scream as the guitars crunch and the drums pound. And while these techniques can certainly be effective when used properly, too often they are not. The result is a harsh and muddled blend of uninspired chaos.

Tomorrow's Remedy could be, at first listen, one of those bands. But behind the power and adrenaline is an underlying sense of purpose. What is so good about the band's songs is that they are well-structured. They don't simply alternate between very loud and very quiet, which is the crutch many less-talented bands rely on.

Nor does the band hide itself and its skills behind a wall of deafening sound.

It's obvious the band seems to be most comfortable performing at high-volume. But the music is loud for a reason. The volume and intensity are used to serve the dynamics of the song, not the other way around. Likewise, while the music is loud it isn't forced. All this saves Tomorrow's Remedy from being just another throw-away, "crank-it-to-11" metal band.

Another thing the band has in its favor is that the musicians are actually good at what they do. Many metal bands simply try too hard and play too loud, ending up as parodies of themselves. These guys are no joke, and authenticity is one of their assets. They aren't trying to play aggressive music. The energy and the passion seem to come naturally.

Tomorrow's Remedy is nothing groundbreaking. The group sounds similar to several bands on the market today. But though it may not change the face of music, the group is exceptional in the sense that it does what it does well. It's high-energy metal offering a little bit more than simple head-banging machismo. The music also seems more grounded and genuine than its more extreme death- and speed-metal counterparts.

A self-titled demo CD includes the tracks "Inhale the Aftermath," "Hypocrite," "Wrinkle," and "Do You Know Who You Are?" Admittedly, the four songs may sound similar, but this resemblance is not a sign of unoriginality as much as a showcase of a band doing what it knows how to do, and doing it the best it can. This is a solid rock/metal effort put forth by very capable musicians.

The band's only possible shortcoming is that the music picks up right from the start and doesn't really stop until the guitars have faded. This sort of intense musical experience may be perfect for some, but others may wish for a break or a pause to catch their breath. If you like that kind of intensity, however, Tomorrow's Remedy is a perfect band to see.

The band formed two years ago - the result of a marriage between the creative forces of Vague and Livid Serene. After spending some time writing new material, they took their sound to the road and played several gigs around Massachusetts.

Check out tomorrowsremedy.com for upcoming dates, including an Oct. 6 show at O'Brien's pub on Harvard Avenue in Allston.