The last time I listened to CEIGHT was a now-unlisted Spotify single, “ONE SHOT.” I didn’t like the single because the overall sound came across as muted. Now the band has a full length called SEE THE EIGHT.
From the start with the “INTRO,” it sounds ike the production has greatly improved. And while I still don’t like introduction songs, here it gives CEIGHT a raw sound, with more low end and attitude. This follows into “Blind.” CEIGHT walks between rock, melodic rock, and alternative. And “Blind” highlights the moving melodies from top to bottom. There’s a distinct movement in the verses instead of rinse-and-repeat melodies.
“Scene” takes a few steps into hard rock, and this time, the song mix puts the vocals in the center with instrumentals wrapping around. It gives the song a wider soundscape. The vocals still lead the song, but you feel more impacted instead of a passive listen.
A surprise track is “No Way Out!!!” because it sounds like something you’d hear from The Black Mages. It has the energy and positioning of an RPG video game soundtrack. And I mean that in a good way. But while individual songs stick out, SEE THE EIGHT is repetitive. CEIGHT knows their style very well and that comes across easily, but within this genre, I want to hear more variety. There’s already a growing fatigue around “Sakon.”
CEIGHT might be best in EP form with a tighter, smaller set of songs that allow the band to hit their high points quickly and move on. With 10 songs, following the same general arrangement, it gets muddy and difficult to stay engaged. SEE THE EIGHT is a good full length, but CEIGHT leans too much on what works without experimenting enough.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.