Crossfade CD

Debut Fr.Columbia,Sc Band. Aka "Sugardaddy Superstar".

Crossfade: Ed Sloan (vocals, guitar); Tony Byroads (vocals, samples, turntable); Mitch James (bass, background vocals); Brian Geiger (drums).
Recorded at Sugarstar Studios, West Columbia, South Carolina.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Ed Sloan (vocals, guitar); Tony Byroads (vocals, sampler, turntables, background vocals); Mitchell James (bass guitar, background vocals); Brian Geiger (drums).
Audio Mixer: Randy Staub .
Recording information: SugarStar Studios, West Columbia, SC; The Warehouse, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Photographer: Mick Rock .
Hometown Crossfade fans will recognize the majority of this eponymous major-label debut, as it's been retooled from the band's self-released 2001 effort, when they were still known as Sugardaddy Superstar. Columbia's signing of the band makes sense, as Crossfade combines the most marketable elements of Nickelback and P.O.D. (check "No Giving Up"), throwing in the brooding aggression of Cold and Disturbed as bonus glue. Its occasional flirtation with synths and sampling is negligible, as discordant guitars dominate the album's mix. Speaking of cold, that's also the name of the 'Fade's first single. Ed Sloan has a powerful voice, and he sells the track's somewhat generic chorus ("What I really meant to say/Is that I'm sorry for the way I am") by really lighting into the melody. He goes on to apologize for his "screwed-up side" as dull power chords lurch in the background. "So Far Away" and "Disco" follow a similar formula, marrying thick, glowering riffs to rousing choruses; that Disturbed feel really drifts in on the latter, where you half expect an "Oh wah ah ah ah!" yawp after its payoff chorus chant. Crossfade actually runs into trouble with tracks like this or "Death Trend Setta," where they try too hard to soak their considerable rock power in played-out angry guy raps. The band is more successful with cuts like "Starless," the aforementioned "Cold," or even the atmospheric "Deep End," where Sloan hits huge vocal hooks over serviceably powerful riffs. "Dead Skin" is another relative highlight of Crossfade. Musically it's an awkward facsimile of Staind's embittered melodrama, but its tale of addiction and relationship destruction feels like the record's emotional core. ~ Johnny Loftus
Shortly before recording this disc, the Columbia, SC-based heavy rock group Crossfade changed its name from the decidedly less genre-appropriate Sugardaddy Superstar. Longtime fans need not worry, though--the band still traffics in the same brand of hard-hitting, melodic neo-grunge that won it a loyal Southern following. Taking cues from rock-radio stalwarts Nickelback, Staind, and Cold, the quartet combines snap-tight metal guitar rhythms with soaring, harmony-laden vocals. In addition, there are elements of the late-1990s rap/metal sound made famous by Korn and Limp Bizkit, particularly in the contributions of DJ and co-lead singer Tony Byroads. Aided by huge, sweeping production reminiscent of Journey and Asia, Crossfade delivers its catchy mix of crushing rock and epic balladry with equal doses of metal madness and pop flourish.