Rotten

This is metalcore, but not a bad kind. It is not nearly as obnoxious as the majority of well-known metalcore bands, and it is not vomittingly bad (like the majority of well-known metalcore bands). It is decent.

The production is not an issue - what needs to be audible is audible. Clear guitar sound, somewhat audible bass (it sounds good with "somewhat", though) and drum work to end your life - in a good way. Combining the general metalcore riffing and sound with thrash and death influences, Slugs have created their own sound, and while not particular to my liking, they do what they do and they do it good.

The songs are rather short in lenght, but I wouldn't have them any other way. They work perfectly the way they are, although extending them 30 seconds to include a guitar solo would not be a disaster. The one thing this demo lacks - notable guitar work. The riffs are good, but not spectacular, and there is hardly a solo to be found. The bass is audible, although rarely noteworthy. Backing up the guitar, the bass does what it has to.

The vocals are far from my cup of tea. While a somewhat talented vocalist, sadly he resorts to the metal-core grunts. It fits the music, but it's not good. The vocals are very far from ruining the album, but still below average. His vocals are on key, though.

The drums are easily the highlight of the album - Amazingly technical and on beat. The drums could stand to be louder, though, as in my opinion they are what really makes this album.

Spanning 18 minutes, this demo is a fine effort, although some things needs to be worked on. Metalcore done right.