This is my first Cold CD so I don't really know much about the band's past or any buzz (or buzzkill for that matter) related to the band

All I know is that this band has been speaking to me as if by methods of fate to listen to them ... it sounds so grand, it really isn't ... actually quite by accident I've heard tracks of this CD on Hard Drive and while switching channels (there was a snippet on WWE TV) ... and long story short, they sounded interesting enough for me to make a mental note to myself to have a listen to their music

I have a severe reluctance to listen to or review nu-metal and this is a bias that I think you should be made aware of ... today there was a few hundred people who came across and read us, so we know there is a larger audience of people that I don't know personally who actually spend a portion of their lives reading this, so I owe it to you all to declare bias when appropriate

This is not a nu-metal sounding disc I am quite happy to report ... it seems like all of the former disciples of the better known nu-met bands now realize that their survival is on the line and are desperately trying to reinvent themselves, come up with credible hard rock/alt rock stylings lest they fade away, and run away from associations with Red Cap Fred (I wonder why, ha) ... perhaps getting jobs with so many tattoos may seem like a very daunting task? Could be

Year of the Spider is no exception ... I think I read some place where the reviewer was saying that this band should blend with Staind ... and in some ways, I think that is a fair statement ... in some other ways, I think this is Staind's best friend more than a twin, clone or potential share partner of genetic combinations

What you hear with this CD is a surprising combination of sensible, urgent hard alt rock ... that mostly stays away from the Nickleback or Creed stylings ... and explores territory that is more reminiscent of Bush "Sixteen Stone" and late 80s, early 90s alt rock ... in other words, solid harder rock with alt influences that is catchy and really listenable

"Remedy" will catch you right out of the gate with its Bush-like aggro from the mid 90s that even Mr. Gwen Stefani (ha) doesn't do no anymore ... "Suffocate" is a really radio friendly, story about control with a great singalong chorus ... "Cure My Tragedy" is a Staind style crunchy power ballad which is so listenable and cool because of cool music and vocal effects