Benard formed from the wreckage of two Marietta, Georgia-area bands: metalcore merchants Stranger By Day and indie rockers Left To Rust. In that light, it is not a surprise that their sound incorporates elements of both styles; metalcore's abrasive,...Benard formed from the wreckage of two Marietta, Georgia-area bands: metalcore merchants Stranger By Day and indie rockers Left To Rust. In that light, it is not a surprise that their sound incorporates elements of both styles; metalcore's abrasive, dense guitars and whiplash tempo changes combine with the low-tech production approach and avant-garde predilections often associated with college rock. Benard synthesizes these divergent references into a hyper-aggressive, passionate and volatile sound that is reminiscent of In/Casino/Out-era ATDI. Benard is a raw, often reckless disc, whose vulgar presentation might be a negative in some other context. However, the murky, indistinct mix and occasional rhythmic missteps on Benard serve to underscore the urgency of the music and the conviction of the un-credited players.
