Coalesce – There Is Nothing New Under The Sun (Silver Vinyl)

Either a lengthy EP or a short full-length depending on how you look at it, this album consists entirely of Led Zeppelin covers, reverently done yet not likely to be mistaken for the originals. The first five songs are played hard and heavy in Coalesce’s pummeling metalcore style, peaking with a ferocious version of “Black Dog,” spiced up with some of the band’s trademark math metal rhythms. Frontman Sean Ingram handles the lead vocals in his typically caustic, bellowing roar, with Matt Pryor from emo-pop band the Get Up Kids chiming in on the melodic sections in his regular voice — in other words, no Robert Plant impersonations here! The CD closes with two acoustic guitar-based ballads, “That’s the Way” and “Thank You,” giving some idea of what Zeppelin might have sounded like as sensitive Middle American post-adolescents. The vocals, done completely clean, are a little shaky on these tunes and sometimes veer off key, but somehow they work in this context. Led Zeppelin fans might be horrified at the liberties Coalesce takes here, but ultimately the band has succeeded at breathing new life into some heavily worn (though still classic) songs. On silver wax.