Many people seem to think that if you open for an amazing band that your band, by association, is somehow first rate. There was a time when I felt similarly, probably right after seeing a slew of great bands who brought unknown but equally exceptional outfits on the road with them. Then I saw Fugazi a couple nights in a row. I can't even remember who opened, but I recall hearing afterwards that even Ian remarked that they were intolerable.

Santa Barbara's Beware Of Darkness have opened for some of the loudest, most noted groups of this generation, including Social Distortion, Deftones, and Stone Temple Pilots. But I'd bet good money that Mike Ness never had a bad word to say about this powerhouse trio. They are able to pack the best moments of indie rock, garage rock, hard, classic and alt-rock into a thundering display of giant melodies and beautiful restraint. It won't be long until these guys are headlining stadium shows.

Opener “Howl” leads the charge with blistering garage rock and bluesy guitar riffs and follows it up with “Sweet Girl," which is a quick blast of classic rock. ”Ghost Town” then takes an immediate turn into dark, psyche rock territory and this slower pace continues with the organ led "Amen Amen.” At the halfway point, the rock and volume returns with the Brit-rock influenced “Heart Attack,” which flows into a couple piano songs. "End Of The World" is the punchier piano rocker, while the sparse piano ballad "Life On Earth" shows a more delicate side to the band. Near the end we get two grungy rockers with "My Planet Is Dead" and "Salvation Is Here,” but they exit on the nearly a cappella "Hummingbird".

The alt-rock comeback continues to bring more greatness, and Orthodox is one of the greatest. Fans of rock bands as diverse Smashing Pumpkins, The White Stripes, Led Zeppelin or Tokyo Police Club should be picking up a copy of this ASAP and playing it loud and often.

Rating: A-

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