Metal Underground.com

To write a review of Fightcast’s debut release, "Breeding a Divinity," without using the word "metalcore" is quite impossible. "Breeding a Divinity" comes from Kolony Records, which shares their debut as a label with this album. Hailing from Italy, I was impressed to see them labelled as a metalcore outfit, because Italy’s metal market has been dominated strongly by power metal bands such as "Elvenking" and "Rhapsody of Fire." Although not spectacular in any form, this release shows chops and promise, two things that will hold them over until their sophomore release.

Fightcast’s sound follows what has been deemed the standard metalcore formula of modern metal. However, excluding the song "The White Pitch," the sound of this album is anything but generic; it is good metal music. Being a metalhead obsessed on guitar talent, speed, and quality, the guitarwork impresses, as it's catchy and wild in every song. The guitars sound thrashy in some parts, with many tracks holding long riff sequences. There are breakdowns that sound natural rather than forced because it may sound good in concert. There are dual-lead harmonic moments that I heard, and as they ended I wanted more.

The vocals are harsh and young, showing great potential for their future albums. The choruses are often melodic and melodramatic - the type you will find from more melodic metalcore and emo bands. The mix is tight, but the melodic vocals can get a bit out of focus as per the rest of the album. The production quality was adequate. I was not expecting this type of quality for independent label first-timers, but it isn’t quite the same production quality that the popular metal bands have the leisure to enjoy. The vocals bothered me in the mix a bit, as they seemed to come out too strong, especially when the riffs are so clear to listen to.

In essence, a lot has been done with little. The songwriting and quality is good considering how young these guys are. Nothing really shines except ironically the last title track "Breeding a Divinity." It is a two-minute outro that can work as an intro just as well. It blends various effects with a cool drum beat that sounds like you’re in a club. How this pertains to the title I am not sure, but it does make you wonder.

The outcome of "Breeding a Divinity" as a whole is a tightly produced album with great talent and a very promising career of a solid metalcore band. One listen will not blow you away, but will make you interested at the minimum. And that deserves a better then good rating.