Killing Miranda- Consummate

Killing Miranda add just enough dark and creepy elements to their otherwise commonplace alternative metal to bring in the younger Hot Topic crowd - think more along the lines of Korn and HIM than Bauhaus or the Banshees. While this album is well produced and features some cool New Wave and industrial keyboard effects, the vocals and lyrical content make this tough to take seriously. The thrashing pop metal of "Bastard/Heretic" is catchy, but the over-the-top aggression of the lyrics is more laughable than scary, while "Conspiracy Theory" ruins some interesting arrangements with affected rock star vocals. "No More Love Songs" offers a decent chorus at least, and the post-grunge angst of "Disposable" is accessible enough that you could imagine hearing it on the radio a few years back. The only really memorable moment is the Lovecraft-inspired "Enter The Dagon" and its instrumental intro, "Shadow Over Innsmouth," but like Lovecraft's stories themselves, these are enjoyable because they ride so close to the line between cool and corny; it's hard to tell if they're fun because of their very badness or in spite of it. In any case, they're not enough to save the rest of this album from its pedestrian posturing.

Go to www.killingmiranda.com for more information.