Artist: Allele
Album: Point of Origin
Label: Corporate Punishment
Release Date: 10/25/2005
Written by AJ, VP of Altsounds.com

Let’s get the obvious things out of the way: Allele’s two guitarists, Kelly Hayes and Lane Maverick are from successful bands, Cold and Otep respectively. Allele sounds like a combination of Cold and Otep…respectively. They are in the modern rock genre alongside acts like Crossfade, Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Staind, Nickelback, Smile Empty Soul etc etc etc. They fit perfectly into that genre and have a sound that touches on elements of those bands, or at least hits the same chord that would put all those bands in the same genre. Call it post-grunge, emotional metal, melodic agro-rock…**** I don’t know. Whatever you want to call it, it’s a genre that has been dominating rock radio for the past 6 years or so and isn’t showing signs of stopping. These are the things that you will notice within 5 seconds of listening to Allele’s debut release Point of Origin.

Now onto what makes Allele different, or at the very least worth checking out. They can write some songs. Hooks and riffs abound making each song memorable and catchy as hell. Frontman Wally Wood has the perfect vocals for this style of music, belting out soaring melodies and then quickly dropping to a growl or grunt. Two well known guitarists insure the album is an interesting listen, throwing riffs like mardi gras beads. The rhythm section also packs some punch with Tom Tobin on bass and Giancarlo Autenzio hittin the skins. Some would call their lyrical content generic, others would call it ambiguous, either way their subject matter is universally applicable and rather well-suited for their particular brand of modern rock. The sound of the record is also noteworthy, with Ben Schigel (Chamaira, Drowning Pool, Breaking Point) producing.

Overall, Point of Origin is a solid piece of rock, and while nothing about it will knock you on your ass or make you question what you have come to know about music, three songs in particular will make you flip over the cd case to check out what they are called. Immune, Lies and Unknown are musically the most interesting songs on the record with catchy melodies to boot. I am not sure what the single is off this record, but if I had to guess it would be either Closer to Habit or Stitches as these are probably most easily digested and radio-friendly tracks. If you are a fan of this genre, you will definitely like this release because it encompasses everything good about this genre and leaves most of the bad stuff out. All of the songs are good and will stick in your head after multiple listens. Allele is a talented group and I think this record is strong enough and safe enough to get them into the spotlight, I also get the impression they put on a good live show. Talented groups like this tend to push parameters more on their second release, so I look forward to finding out what Allele are really capable of. They are certainly a band to keep your eye on, and Point of Origin is worth checking out.

Altsounds.com Allele iPod Giveaway
Allele Online

01. Fake (2:54)
02. A Different Someone (3:26)
03. Closer To Habit (3:17)
04. Stitches (3:06)
05. Lost In Your Words (3:31)
06. Tightrope (3:43)
07. Immune (4:12)
08. Lies (3:12)
09. Misunderstood (2:36)
10. Unknown (3:34)
11. hidden track (3:39) (not listed on track list)

Check out Allele Live!

11/6/2005 Melbourne, FL @ The Metro
11/10/2005 Sedalia, MO @ 7th Heaven CD Store w/ N/A (IN-STORE Acoustic set)
11/11/2005 Creve Coeur, IL @ Tops N Tails w/ Left 4 Dead, None Taken
11/12/2005 Springfield, IL @ Viele's Planet w/ Left 4 Dead, Grim
11/17/2005 Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock w/ Blackseed Burial, Closure
11/18/2005 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
11/20/2005 Jacksonville, FL @ Metropolitan Park w/ POD, Cold, Shinedown, Nonpoint, Burn Season
11/23/2005 Maplewood, MN @ The Rock w/ Skywynd, The Pennyroyals
11/25/2005 Mankato, MN @ Busters w/ The Pennyroyals, Skywynd
11/26/2005 Sioux Falls, SD @ Mad Rock Pub w/ Skywynd, The Pennyroyals
11/27/2005 Sioux Falls, SD @ Mad Rock Pub w/ Skywynd, The Pennyroyals
12/1/2005 St. Cloud, MN @ The Rox w/ Skywynd
12/2/2005 Cedar Rapids, IA @ Let's Dance w/ The Pennyroyals, Skywynd
12/3/2005 Birmingham, AL @ Rock N' Horse w/ Vysion