Reviewed by Ian Webber

After a reasonable break and change in lead vocalist, this North Carolina-based outfit open the followup to 2009's 'Crash' with a choppy guitar assault on the speakers. "Memory" is closely followed by the other heavy rock track on the album, "Westboro". Both settle into a metal groove that owes much to the late '90s but have a current drive and melody to them. Lyrically the latter of these is a forthright address to the infamous Baptist Church. A real plus throughout the album is the warm and gravelly vocal of TJ Harris which rides well over the slightly bluesy feel to the majority of the rest of the tracks. "Say Hello" and "Bleeding Lies" both catch the ear with strong rhythmical sensibilities. Sadly the second half of the CD does not match the promising first five cuts and the songs start to sound much the same. Grungy guitar work lumbers through the material, and although there are some pleasing tunes, passages do seem to labour a little. Closing out the album is the ballad "So In Love" which provides a slight lift to proceedings with a message of hope and reconciliation. 'Scarecrow' breaks no new ground as a rock album, but Decyfer Down have produced a polished and enjoyable listen that will please fans of Kutless and Pillar.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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