IN REVIEW: Islander - "Power Under Control"

For their second album, Islander has replaced every member of the band except vocalist Mikey Carvajal. As it turns out, this upheaval doesn't have a huge impact on how the music turns out, because the nu-metal worship from 2014's Violence and Destruction is by and large intact here as well. There are attempts to expand the sound somewhat, but they're few and far between. Much of Power Under Control aims for Deftones' lofty heights, but too often calls to mind, say, Papa Roach. Or Panic! At the Disco. Or, at its worst, whichever generic hard rock band you care to compare it to. The problem with Islander as a band thus far is that they've yet to forge their own identity. Where Violence and Destruction was sincere and singular in its vision, Power Under Control seemingly grasps in any direction for sounds and styles while failing to hold onto anything original. Whether or not you'll tolerate an album like this wholly depends on whether or not you look back on early '00s rock radio with fondness or disdain.

August 5, 2016 • Victory
Highlights Darkness • Bad Guy • Devil Red