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

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 https://listen.to/crisisofassimilation

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