Narcissus formed in 1998, first playing hardcore, but then tiring of the style's limitations. On the band's full-length debut, the players kick and scream until they're spent. Cocksure riffs from guitarist John LaRussa move along "To James," while Pope rips metal histrionics like a guest singer from Ferret Records. Track by track, buzzing bass gradually fades into hypnotic echoes. Drums, vocals, and feedback swirl in "Indifference of Living" as Pope sings, "Open the road/Open the mind/I don't want anything in my way." It's his mantra for the moment -- and for his band as well.