Do-it-yourself ethics is always admirable, regardless of the nature of the business, but the beauty of the end result will often be evident only to the eye of the creator. Only Tom Reardon (vocals, guitar and bass) and Doug Williamson (drums, additional bass) will know if Seizure Crypt 2005 demo is exactly what they wanted to see in the end. The mission apparently was “to write furious speedcore spiced with a double vocal attack, creating a truly devastating outfit” in the process. Obviously in possession of different notions assigned to “fury” and “speed” than many of us, Seizure Crypt seems to be a band rising to the height of popularity among the close group of friends, playing only for that selective group plus a few of their closest acquaintances in the small NYC neighborhood bar, provided of course that the owner is also a pal. Down to the comic book style booklet and cover art, Seizure Crypt seems to be a band intended to revolutionize the field, but in reality only managing to exist because its creators have the right to self-expression.

It is obvious that punk attitude was boiling over the top with Tom and Doug, so Seizure Crypt allowed them to spill it onto a CD format, thus getting it out of their system. Muddled, not so fast punkcore, with dirty guitar riffs hiding way behind the vocals in the mix is how the CD starts with No Room Left to Bleed and Great Defector. Garage thrash of Death Rider has banjo (??!!) of all things joining in. Inhuman Nature and Chompin’ At the Bit deliver on that speed promise somewhat, the former even incorporating an odd solo. And it probably would have been better for Herein the Problem Lies to remain this distorted introspective funeral march, instead of going back to the static uninspiring ‘core. The piece of classical guitar musing after a short pause when Herein the Problem Lies ends really has nothing to do with the rest of the album. I wish somebody explained to me the purpose of that inclusion.

Mike SOS helps out with the “twin” vocal attack. No attempt at singing to be found anywhere on the CD, two voice scream intermittently, alternatively or altogether, two rebels, not that different in styles, joining forces. Way too much in front of the music (perhaps purposefully based again on that DIY approach), the only variation on the theme we get when the second vocal line joins the leader from the “back of the room” (Chompin’ At the Bit). As much as Mike’s own band appeared professional on their A Guide to Better Living release, Seizure Crypt screams amateur.

Truly feeling the need to speak their voices on the ever-important topics (social problems, Armageddon, media lies), Tom and Doug did their part. It would surprise me immensely if many outside of the circle of the band’s immediate friends will hail this record. I may be the exception, but it took me a serious effort to get through this recording twice.