Home of Captain James T. Kirk, the ill-fated Expos, and Danny Wells (the bartender from The Jeffersons) come Montreal’s very own Special Ops. Having heard nothing but big things about this band, I was really excited to check out their new cd Through the Heart of the Infidel. But with limited American press, will these Canadians even make a blip on the radar?

The album starts off with a track called “H.M.” Right out of the gate, Special Ops combine a thick guitar lick with a really cool vocal line that immediately drew me in. The song begins strong, and will definitely catch your ear – that’s for sure. Problem is, once you get past the first chorus, you find that they just rinse and repeat what they just did. For a song that’s just over two minutes long, you would expect variety; but sadly, you don’t get it here.

Vocally, Abe Froman (not to be confused with the “Sausage King of Chicago” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) never really feels like he takes command of the songs. His vocals come off monotone and very monotonous. Without a doubt, the heart of any band is the vocals. You can be an incredible band, but if your singer is as dull as a bag of hammers and projects zero energy, the songs will come off lifeless and dull.

“Hard Ass” is a track that adds a little life to a somewhat bland release. Akbar Johnson and company lay a solid foundation of stomping grooves that are a little reminiscent of early Soil. Special Ops try to add a little life vocally with some background screams, so that’s definitely a plus. But once again, I found myself bored because they seem to follow the same tired formula from one song to the next.

Slowing it down a bit, Special Ops tell us “What You Did Today.” Honestly, this song is a complete mess in all aspects. They start the track off with a slow guitar, drum and bass beat that quickly changes tempo with nearly no transition. Froman’s singing voice sounds more like he’s holding a conversation rather than trying to actually sing. During the chorus, his heavy vocal is more of a shout that is interlaced with these odd background voices.

I will give props for the tracks “Amber” and “Pressure.” Both are very catchy and definitely deserve a listen. “Amber” starts off with both barrels blazing. Big bouncing grooves are accompanied by a very solid vocal line that suits Special Ops perfectly. Near the end though, they transition into this really jazzy elevator-esque music that’s a total turnoff, and completely kills the momentum of the song. Lose that part and the song totally rips your face off. “Pressure” really finds the band’s sweet spot. It could fall in that Nonpoint/P.O.D style and sound. I can see why they picked this as the single because it is by far the best song on the album.

The album ends with “Anthem of Deceit.” The track has an Arabian feel to it, which is reminiscent of System Of A Down. It has a very good stomp that will surely make you bob your head. But, again, the choruses are a complete disaster. They are muddled with flat double bass, boring guitars and high school vocals that follow every lick.

Through the Heart of the Infidel is an album that should of never been made. It’s clunky, flat and at times extremely boring. I will give them props for a few songs that really show the direction that the band should be going. As far as the rest of the album, scrap it and start over, because people deserve better than Songwriting 101.

2.0/5