Endo’s sophomore album “Songs for the Restless,” helps make them far from your typical Ozzfest band. In fact, SharonFest should be commended for really mixing things up on the second stage this year with bands like Endo, The Revolution Smile, Hotwire and Depswa. 

Forget everything you thought you knew about this group from their debut album, “Evolve”. The band seemed to take that title to heart and really did evolve for this album. The worn-out rap-rock is gone and in it’s place the band really seems to find a unique identity that gives them a distinction in today’s hard rock world. 

Just what sets Endo apart from the competition? That was covered in our review of the song "Simple Lies," which was included on the Daredevil Soundtrack. In that review we pointed out that, “The generic rap-rock vocals are replaced with a Morrissey like delivery set against an interesting and dynamic modern rock musical score.” 

But that’s only part of the story and instead of relying solely on that formula the band branches out into moments of straight-ahead modern rock, hard-core and yes some nu-metal. Taken together it makes for a potent combination that really helps the CD from becoming redundant. But it’s when the vocals delve into Morrissey territory that this band really shines. A track like “Circle” is a real standout with it’s trancelike verses and powerfully dynamic choruses.  

The advance version of the CD I was given to review starts off really strong with another track with the Morrissey like vocals, “Clean Sheets (and a dirty mind)”. Endo effectively meld the old school goth like vocals with powerful modern rock and even shades of hardcore screams and that lays out a rather dynamic musical tapestry that makes this song compelling as hell. 

“For You” takes a similar track except they leave out the hardcore elements. That would make this song a strong contender for a single because it seems tailor-made for modern rock radio. They follow up with the now familiar “Simple Lies,” another great exploration of those two distinct musical styles. 

“Remember Us,” takes Endo into a Finger Eleven styled nu-metal. “In Time Will Fall,” is perhaps the best mix of old school and new and the end result is nu-metal meets Faith No More, especially the verses with Mike Patton’esq vocal treatment that gives way to the other shades of vocals displayed throughout this album. 

Who knew that vocalist Gil Bitton had such a dynamic voice? He really showcases his range of style on this album. A lot of the tracks are standouts with their tinges of Morrissey meets modern rock or nu-metal and the band’s light to heavy approach works well for them, especially on a track like “Madness,” another strong contender for a single. 

The drums are almost tribal on some of the tracks and the band effectively mixes in layers of guitar. Taken together with the vocals, Endo return with an amazing leap forward with this album. There is no sophomore slump here, Endo have accomplished what few bands seem capable of; they take things to a whole new level with their second album. 

“Songs for the Restless” will easily be one of the highlights of this summer, if not the entire year and is definitely worth checking out. 
 

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Visit endo's official homepage for more info on this CD and the band.