Review by Denis on July 17, 2003.

When I first started listening to metal, it was bands like Dream Theater, Rhapsody, Symphony X and so on that I enjoyed. Then came some more power bands like Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and Helloween. Later on, I discovered Tristania, and a new horizon was lighting up for me after being tired of the power metal trip. All this lead me to become intoxicated by the avant-garde style and running as far away from the power metal. Now I got "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" from Helloween in my hand and boy do we have a problem.

As far as I can see, power metal is still at the same point from where I left it a couple years ago. Not much has changed and in the case of Helloween, the only change that did take place was for the worse! Too bad those talented musicians are stuck or sticking to such a non-evolutional type of music. It's not that it's not good at all, it's just that it is the same formula used and re-used. To make matters even worse, the music has a more commercial edge this time around. At least there are good parts, however. They are mainly the intros, plus the instrumental sections that can be found on each and every song, which are all built with a pretty similar structure. Those compensate somewhat for the rest of the power crap and the cheesy sounding singer. In Germany, these types are called "Eunuchen metal" guys without eggs! As in many cases with bands like this, the guitar work is simply superb, especially on 'Liar,' 'Nothing To Say,' and the best one, 'Back Against The Wall.' On it you can find keys, industrial parts, groovy riffs and some devilish/deranged moments.

Bottom Line: Please make this the funeral walk of power metal!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 5
Originality: 4
Production: 8
Overall: 4

Rating: 5.8 out of 10

Review by Michael on April 20, 2002.

Don’t get me wrong, Earshot are a good band. They lock in with each other very well, they have good musical ideas and the singer can really wail. The only problem I can see here is if the band Tool had a not-quite-as-good younger brother, Earshot would be it. I’m sure the band hates to hear this, but they reek of Tool-like ambience, guitar and vocal lines. The potiential of this band is obviously huge, but they do need to break away from their current sound simple because it has been done before.

From start to finish "Letting Go" is a powerful emotion charged album. These are brilliant songs that have been well constructed and well played... the only thing holding them back is the ‘its already been done’ vibe. MTV is going to love this band, they have all the appeal that massive bands posess... the ability to make (mostly angst ridden) tennage girls completely lose it and throw their panties up on stage.

There are some pretty good guitar lines on this album, varying from some very ambient almost avant-guard style to good fashioned old school rock riffs. Each punching in hard at the beginning of the song and then dying in the verses. This is an all to familiar pattern within the songs, they certainly have found a formula they like and have stuck to it. Thank you MTV.

Vocally the sentiment is classic rock; Relationship problems and the well used “my life is shit” direction. This does suit the music, and the package is a very good rock band indeed. Every angle has been covered to capture the ‘mass’ appeal so many bands try to attain. This is a good rock album.

Bottom Line: If you like modern rock in the vain of Tool, then you will like Earshot. If and when they start pushing their own boundaries to find an original sound, they could become a great band.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 4
Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Overall: 7

Rating: 6.8 out of 10