Modified

The first song on this album, Die To Resist, had me surprised. The main riff is really catchy and the band was actually a lot heavier than I was expecting. The next song is hands down my favourite. Cruel Temptation has a great mix of heavy and soft guitar and I really liked the chorus with the way the guitar flowed with the vocals. The beginning of A Part Of Me brings piano, guitar, and drums, in one by one quite nicely. The solo in this song is pretty wicked. Running From Myself had a nice intro, I really like how heavy the guitars sounded. It may just be me but the chorus of this kind of had the same guitar as Cruel Temptation, either way I like this song. The vocals in Threetwoone is what stuck out to me the most, they really made this song catchy. The next song was really heavy for the album and also had a melodic feel which was great. I thought the keyboard outro was nice a calming. The keyboard and guitar intro of Running Up That Hill and I liked the galloping guitar riff as well. The solo bit in this song as well as the part after reminds me of Sonata Arctica and their style. When I Wake has a great mix mellow and heavy, they mesh well. The guitars in the next song, Unfinished Game, feels really old school rock, especially the first riff, and I thought was pretty cool. I am quite sure I heard a very metal scream from a male backing vocals, would love to see more of that out of these guys. Hollow is probably another favourite on this album and I liked the way the guitars are laid out, it felt really groovy and heavy. The last song on the album, December, was really mellow. I kind of like that the album ended with this song. It’s a nice little ballad and I liked the vocals on this song.

I have never heard Modified ever before, and I am ashamed of myself since they’re local, but they are a very solid band. I’m usually really picky with my female vocalists but I really liked Tricia’s style, I’d definitely say she’s one of my favourite female vocalists. This album is definitely a must buy if you like hard rock and heavy metal, especially if you fancy female vocalists. - Aaron Simmons of Wheeling Rampage

After several months of dedicated songwriting, rehearsing and recording, Toronto-based hard rock/metal band Modified has emerged with the release of their self-titled debut album. Actually released in late 2011, a copy has finally come our way, and this album gives us 11 tracks and 42 + mins of totally awesome Alternative Rock, with melodic hooks and riffs a plenty to keep the listener happy. It is filled with the blood, sweat and tears of Anthony Xander (guitar), Tricia Stanley (vocals) and James Rose (drums). And this is a near faultless collection of tunes, of which I won't even bother to talk about individually - they are all good. Of interest though is the cover of the Kate Bush song 'Running Up That Hill', also covered by Within Temptation (amongst others no doubt!). If one wants to make comparisons, lets say Faces of March, Paramore, Flyleaf and the like - have the idea? The band can be found here and I do highly recommend this release... 8.75/10 (Dave) - Dave of Ravenheart