FACT - In The Blink Of An Eye

Album: In The Blink Of An Eye
Artist: FACT
Label: Hassle Records

The Japanese quintet FACT, first burst into ear-shot with their self-titled debut album last year, now these Kabuki masked boys follow up with "In The Blink Of An Eye" via Hassle Records. Opening up the album is the title track "in the blink of an eye" and from the first 30 seconds you know the album is gonna be pumped full of adrenaline and upbeat energy. Not sticking to one genre, this album proves it has it's mixes of fun too. "Silent Night" which is one of the best songs on the album, starts off quite dark and heavy yet flows melodically into a soothing riffed bundle of hardrock. Deciding to again sing in English unlike the majority of Japanese bands out there, 'In The Blink Of An Eye' is definitely an album for those living on the edge. This is the kind of album you could just throw on, reach for your skateboard and start ollying around your back yard; with FACT's catchy lyrics and frustratingly addictive tunes that just love to get stuck on a loop in your head.

Midway through is a short intermission with catchy instrumental track '1-3", then sliding right into "Behind A Smile"; which gives you a taste of the more sentimental side to the band. It's "Risk Of Disorder" that really does it for me, with it's post-hardcore tune that gives you something to think about while jumping up and down to the infectious track; A song you can really let your hair down with and just move to, whether you feel like it or not. Throwing in their punk side, this album delivers and then some. Musically, the album shows of the talent of the band a lot more than their self-titled album; seeming like the experimental side has been toned down, to a degree. The entire album 'In The Blink Of An Eye' has it's own real, new and fresh sound, yet still with that distinct sound that is unmistakingly FACT. It isn't hard to imagine a few of these tracks made into captivating music videos that are always being played on the likes of Kerrang! and SCUZZ.

Overall, with producer Michael Elvis Baskette (Story Of The Year, Incubus, and Bless The Fall), FACT are definitely on the up. Surpassing their previous album by a clear mile, 'In The Blink Of An Eye' will leave you wanting more. Not a short album at all, yet the fact (no pun intended) that it sinks its hooks into you, leaves you only wanting more once the album has finished. With an upcoming UK tour, alongside Breathe Carolina, this five-some can take the UK by storm. A definite recommendation for the upbeat and active, rock listeners who like Punk, post-hardcore and meaty riffs.

Track List:
In The Blink Of An Eye
This Is The End
Slip Of The Lip
Silent Night
Dec 2
Part Of It All
1-3
Behind A Smile
Fade
Risk Of Disorder
Goodbye To Good Morning
Sunset