Creator

This one kept popping up on the Amazon suggestion list. I read some of the reviews and hesitated, for a long time, after learning that this was screamo. I don’t like screamo. But I decided to take this particular plunge because one of the reviews talked about how the music is tremendously emotionally infused. While the majority of the singing is screamo and/or cookie monster vocals there is a little that isn’t and I like that but the singing overall remains off-putting to me. I could wholeheartedly recommend this to someone I knew didn’t mind or liked those types of vocals but, for me, they continue to diminish my enjoyment. Please take that into great consideration as you read this review because the music is great, and it is tremendously emotionally infused! I wish I had this album sans vocals (or in a more traditional rock vocal style). Shane Ochsner’s guitars crash and bang and linger, drenched in sustains, and are often down tuned. Nice cascading effects and secondary lines compel a song like “The Heavens and the Earth”. They sound good and are the driving force in the music. In quieter moments, and without the scream-singing, especially on “Returning” and at the beginning of “Creator”, the sounds remind me of late era Prayer Chain. The lyrics are unabashedly Christian and some moments in the songs are downright worshipful. I’d be tempted to try another project with these guys (or with Ochsner) if I knew the vocals were clean. As it is I’ll give the music 5 stars but, for my tastes, the singing gets 1. (The artwork, with the person broken and cracked like a piece of pottery, is very cool. Effective.)

This album is great and the band is so underrated. The music is very creative and different from standard rock/metal. It's progressive rock/metal or sludge i guess. The lyrics are also very good. honest, thoughtful and glorifying God

Soul capturing.

First off, it's hard to believe no one has reviewed this album yet. Either not many people are buying it, which would be a travesty of the highest standard, or most are probably like me, and get too caught up in every day life to sit down for a few minutes and try to put to words how deep, beautiful, and touching a piece of art can be, in hopes that maybe something we have to say can light a spark of interest in someone else. With that said, mere words can not do this piece of art justice. What HANDS has offered up here with their album "CREATOR" is something that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. And what an experience it is. One listen can't suffice, not even two.This album is leaving me literally floored. Never before has a music album of the heavy realm variety left me in such awe, and more importantly in such awe of our Soverign Lord and God. Had king David decided to put down the harp and lyre, pick up an electric guitar and form a metal band, he would have been more than pleased had his results came close to this. This album is that phenominal.I don't try to classify heavy music into different genres (or however you spell it!). I don't care if it's called metal-core, or core this or that, it really doesn't matter. Heavy music is my preferance, and if I like it, I like it. There is nothing on this album that would let any hard/heavy music enthusiast down in any way, yet to simply state this album is "heavy metal" would be an injustice, because it soars through different atmospheres altogether. Yeah, it is heavy, very heavy at times even. But, I can see so many other people getting into this album, who might not even list metal as a musical style they would want to listen to. I think churches should sit down and listen to this album as a whole and find out what TRUE passion for God is, and be thankful that a band like this exists to create hymns of praise like this.I know, I seem to be putting Hands up on some kind of pedestal or something, but I'm not. I would never put a band who creates something on a level highter than the ONE that they have created for. But Hands deserves a standing ovation here, and if you will just do yourself a big favor and find a place to purchase this album, I truly believe you will find yourself feeling the same way.They also have released a first album, entitled "Sounds of the Earth" if I'm not mistaken on the title. I have it ordered, but haven't gotten it yet. If it's as close to the level this album is, than Hands has definantly became my newest favorite band, as if they weren't already.Here's hoping these guys continue on as strong as they have with this album. God has blessed this band beyond measure, and I'm praying He will bless them further, as I can see Hands reaching out to a lost and hurting generation. The name Hands fit them well.Bottom line, you will NOT regret buying this. I can see fans of Becoming The Archeypte really loving this, as well as fans of all types of rock/metal. Heck, if you are a fan of music in general, don't wait, get this. If these guys made two albums a year, and I could only buy two a year, I know where my money would be going.Help support this band, their vision, and their message. God has great things in store for these guys, and I truly, truly believe their music will touch your soul and bring light into your life if you will let it.God Bless

A very well produced, skilled, and well thought out blend of Christian post-hardcore and metalcore; Hands successfully blends heavy, growled vocals and atmospheric guitar pieces that roll along with a momentum that is absolutely mesmerizing and quite truly brilliant. The best song is without a doubt "Of the Flesh," but there are no filling songs in Creator, and they all make an amazing completeness that just feels good after listening to the entire album. That this album is Christian is an understatement. They praise the Lord with a vigor and reverence that can't be found in many churches these days. These guys need your support and they deserve it!Their sound portrays the new face of current metal: A face that is not just brutal for brutalities sake, but a sound that is heavy and stunningly gorgeous at the same time. Hands is epic, beautiful, inspiring, Spirit-filled, atmospheric, and leaves nothing left to be desired except a second listen.