All But One
Square One
(Lifeforce Records)
Started as a side project by members of Alestorm, Heaven Shall Burn, and When Our Time Comes, All But One play a metal-tinged rock with soaring vocals and energetic, driving instrumental work. However, there are only a handful of sections in Square One that stand up as memorable and lasting. Much of the album is enjoyable in the moment, but leaves the mind once Stop has been pressed. The title track is pushed by an expansive chorus, “Little White Lies” shares a faster edge, and “The Reaper, The Sower” provides more influence from the members’ main music acts with its stepped-up aggression and stronger breakdowns. Still, Square One falls short in its replay factor; repeated spins felt like a chore. It’s more like a background record for when you don’t necessarily want to pay close attention.
