Few bands define "metal" with as much purpose as Mono Vs. Stereo's latest act The Showdown, and few acts play it so well. Fusing metal's roots with more modern fare, these guys from Tennessee bring forth their brilliant first effort A Chorus of Obliteration.

The minute-and-a-half long intro to the album's opener "A Monument Encased in Ash" begins with Andrew Hall on drums, then kicks in with distorted guitar, and fill-in guitar provides the metal licks. The intro to ...Obliteration itself is enough to get metal heads salivating; but once vocalist David Bunton's screams and gutteral growls finally emerge, you know you are in for a metal experience unlike any before.

The Showdown's musical maturity is matched only by its lyrical content, which could also double as a rallying cry. The album's message can be summed up in the title of "A Proclamation of Evil's Fate." Each song is a message to Christians of the terror that would befall evil if God's people rose and stood up to Satan's attacks. There is nothing cryptic at all about ...Obliteration. "Epic: A Chorus of Obliteration" proclaims, "We march our war. Clothed in dust and fear, we ride/Host of the Lord about us on our every side/...Loose Your voice and split the sky/Draw your swords. The hour is nigh/We sing as one tonight. We sing as one."

What makes these guys different? They play metal. Real metal. The Showdown, unlike others, does not sugarcoat their act my peppering in elements of other genres to appeal to more fans. Rather, their appeal is found almost solely in the fact that they play metal for all it is worth. And never have I heard such a boldness in the lyrics of an album. The Showdown is one of the best new acts of the year, and not one to be missed.

- Review date: 12/16/04, written by Josh Taylor