Trail of Dead’s strong suit has never been its vocals. Neither Conrad Keely nor Jason Reece are very good singers (which Keely makes abundantly clear in this rehearsal video), but what they lack in natural ability they more than make up for in full throttle punch. Trail of Dead has erred on the side of passion over technical precision since its inception, but bands often fall victim to that strange desire of wanting to improve as they grow. It’s a contagious disease. The last few Trail of Dead records have been more concerned with songwriting and affectation than the fury that started it all. I’m cautiously optimistic about the new record on the band’s own Richter Scale records due out in January, though. Surely to God Keely and Reece have learned a few lessons from the last two stinkers. I realize “Bells of Creation” doesn’t show the full hand, but it has its moments.