"Calm' by Neurobox 1998.
This album is definitely different than their later releases, but there is still a similar sound. This album has a lot more metal influence than their later albums, which progressively get more and more rock opera. This album still has their unique style, sound, and lyrics. This album was before they really found their signature sound, but still has some of that sound and is very, very good.
Track 1, 'Indecent', starts with a scream and is really metal, but then when it comes to the verse its their distinct sound. '2:17' is mellow and unique, most of the track having a fun time signature. Track 3, 'Pacifiers & Pretzels' was featured on their 1999 s/t EP, which has yet to be resurfaced on the web. Track 5 if the original 1998 version of 'Temper', featured on their 2000's album, 'Eve'. This version of the track is far different than the later version, and it is much more mellow, experimental, and even has fully different lyrics and partially different song structure. The main connecting part is the bassline, which is the main riff in the 2000s version. The breakdown later on in the song is also the same in the 2000s version. 'Cold Dawn', track 8, is probably one of my favorite tracks from the album. The lyrics for multiple tracks commonly tease at potentially domestic abuse and other similar topics, but it is hard to tell due to the unique and abstract lyrics, but on Cold Dawn it is much more clear. Track 10, 'Juxtapose', is an short interlude transitioning into the following track. This track is instrumental, but in the CD booklet, for the lyrics for this track, they put a small poem, which is really unique. "Marked", track 12, also the last track on the album, talks a bit of Christian/catholic things, like slipping a cross on, being 'marked', and the lyric that repeats multiple times later on, "The devil's in your mind!" This song is written from the POV of a boy being framed for being satanic or something of the sort, or maybe its not being framed and is true.
This album is great but there is one main flaw: The screaming vocals are subpar. The vocals are great, but when Pete screams, its very unpracticed and crackly. Other than that one note, the album is great and I recommend you listen to it.
Listen to the album = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrpOogyfjrvEjyVNfoJhxj6f32Nq6CfO7
DOWNLOAD = https://archive.org/details/neurobox-calm or https://hostb.org/36T9/Neurobox%20-%20Calm.zip (archive.org is down)
LYRICS = https://genius.com/albums/Neurobox/Calm