One of the most dangerous and lethal dispositions for well established musicians is the threat of the deadly "C" word-Complacency. Some bands, when no longer faced with the uphill struggle of establishing their sound, expressing their passion and getting their music out there to connect with like minded individuals just lose that driven sense of purpose; they simply settle into an uninspired lull and the music deteriorates to the point of detached apathy. It is for that very reason that we need new bands, people whose passion is very much alive and the fire inside is a roaring inferno of aspiration, anticipation and dedication. We need bands like RUSTMINE.

After a very promising demo EP, Portland, Oregon's RUSTMINE spent the better part of a year locked away in both practice pad and studio painstakingly grinding out, sanding down, and polishing up an album that would encompass the full force of their hunger to create and desire to achieve. Meticulous doesn't even begin to describe the amount of blood, sweat and beers each member poured into "Self Destruct", an album that - when all was said and done - exceeds even the most hopeful of expectations. Any band that can craft a debut album with this much immediate impact, cohesive focus, infectious tendency and stunning production based strictly on their own independent financing deserves absolute respect. Herein lies tenacious dedication and undeniable potential the likes of which is rarely seen in the modern world of Metal.

One need look no farther than the album-opening title track "Self Destruct", a song that is the absolute epitome of not only the full scope of what the rest of the album has in store, but also the sheer punching power and potential that the RUSTMINE sound represents. Thanks to the impressive production prowess of Gunnar Jacobson and Northern Lights Recording Studio in Vancouver, WA each member's inspiration fueled performance is up front and in your face at all times. Guitarists Josh Smeller and Jay Kay deliver riff after razor sharp riff, Hardcore influenced adrenalized build ups and neck wrenching breakdowns, highlighted by the thick thrumming thumps of bassist Matt Connett and the exceptional rhythm driving, prominent stick slinging celerity of Metal drumming veteran Tracy James Finck, all brought to an apex by the melodic musings and volatile explosive capacity of charismatic vocalist Sam Logan. The track integrates all these ingredients to craft a sterling example of the perfect Metal song, setting the hook firmly in mouth before reeling you in for the wild ride that is "Self Destruct".

Much of the same goes for some particularly high-impact tunes, ala "Televised War", "Vicious Cycle", "Tragedy" and "Dark Clouds", all displaying phenomenal precision in their structuring and delivery. Surprising accents also pepper the album, such as a subtle sitar intro on "Waste" and live cellists on tracks like the contrasting melancholic beauty of "Alone". And while there are a few indications of a little greenness and room for development, with a slightly repetitious tendency through "Memory", "Chaos" and "Waste" and an ill-placed vocal effect on "Memory" that detracts from Sam's innate vocal explosiveness, the overall sense of "Self Destruct" is one of infinite potential and the indomitable certainty that no matter what is to come, we the listeners have been handed an album that will take up permanent residence in our stereos and bears a certain timelessness that will ensure RUSTMINE's first official release will remain forever endearing. We need bands like RUSTMINE, for their efforts fill us with the winds of inspiration that converge into our own raging storm of "Dark Clouds" - "What's the point for the simple, quiet, dying ones?"