By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Once upon a time there was a band from Fayetteville named Pandora's Box.

One day the band changed its name to Crisis of Assimilation and put out its first CD called “In the Beginning.”

“In the Beginning” is a four-song EP that shows how far Crisis of Assimilation has come, as well as how far they still have to go.

The band is made up of four Fayette County students: Mike Dingler, Ben Jerrell, Kevin Kane and Eric Taber. Dingler is the main lyricist for the band, while Kane writes all the music. Despite their age, the music is advanced and not too far from what is heard on the radio or in the clubs. The vocals tend to get obscured by the driving music, but the problem only flares up occasionally and is not a persistent problem.

The first track is “Let Me Be,” which offers typical teenage angst but ends rather upbeat. Taber shows his skills on the drums, while Jerrell and Kane play a driving brand of metal. This song also illustrates the influences that have led Crisis of Assimilation to this point, i.e. Metalllica, Sepultera. The second song, “End of Life,” is an OK track that only steps away from the usual high school fare during the chorus. The music is fine and fits with the track.

“Cries,” the third cut on the album, is my favorite. It is also the one that suggests rock music might not be a lark for these boys. Andrew Sams, formerly of Drifting Image, guests on lead guitar on this track and proves his mettle by playing an excellent solo that really adds to the track.

The last song on the album, “Your Mind,” also is the group's most accessible. Sounding like much of the play list from 99X, Crisis of Assimilation mixes rap and rock better than some bands out there. The song's only problem is how seriously it takes itself. While I found myself getting into the music, I got the impression that much of the theme and imagery in the song were taken from other albums and not real experience.

That will change, though. Crisis of Assimilation is gaining valuable experience as we speak. The experience of making a CD is sure to make their next venture even better.

The band continues to play in the county and in Atlanta and will play the Log Cabin in Fayetteville March 24. For information and to hear and purchase “In the Beginning,” visit the band on the web at http://listen.to/crisisofassimilation

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