In the past few years, a very effective recipe for metal success has been the melding of powerful, yet smooth and sexy female vocals with the tight, precision assault of crunchy yet melodic guitars and a knot hard rhythm section. The formula was incredibly potent for bands such as Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, and Within Temptation, as all three have built a massive following worldwide. To be completely honest with you, it is a formula I absolutely love! So, when my wife and RFUSA webmaster Andrea and I went to a club called Whiskey Dix in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to check out a band called Jaded Faith in late 2006, we were expecting to be impressed, and we were! The music was heavy yet addictively hook-filled, the vocals were soaring and emotional, and the band members themselves were a class act all the way. So, when we found out they were working on their third EP, we were anxious to receive a copy. To our delight in late 2007, Jaded Faith released their Scratching the Surface EP and everything we were so impressed with about these New Jersey-based up and comers has been masterfully captured on the medium of compact disc.

Jaded Faith has been hard at work in the club circuit in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey and New York City for the past six years. The driving forces of the band are founding members Ashley DiStefano (vocals and keyboards) and Rob DeAntonio (guitars). Joining them on the Scratching the Surface EP are bassist/vocalist Dave Lewis, and since departed keyboardist Ben Reed and the also recently departed drummer Jason Fischetti. Currently, Jamie Lafferty occupies the drum stool, and Jaded Faith has also added guitarist Ryan O’Connor, while vocalist DiStefano has taken over keyboard duties.

Well, I have waited a long time for this EP to arrive at my door, so let us hit play now, shall we?

Oooohhh...a techno style beat, the echo drenched groan of guitars and keys in perfect unison…add some drums and nice riffs, top it all off with the smooth vocal delivery of Ashley DiStefano, and you have the first track of the EP, the very impressive “Thanks”. This song is so well put together and radio friendly you’d expect to hear it exploding over the local modern rock radio station’s airwaves in no time flat. But you can take care of that by buying the CD (shameless plug) and just cranking it in your car stereo. You hear me out there?

The piano skills of Ben Reed come out to play on “Impossible Dream” as the keysman cranks out a simple but effective melody that joins up flawlessly with DeAntonio’s riffs. A few taps of the wah-wah pedal for good measure…of course! DiStefano shows off some very emotional vocal skills as she sings about someone wanting the impossible. Nice piano solo in the middle of the song! I personally think it will be impossible for you not to love this song! Another surefire contender for the modern rock airwaves!

“Reckless” may be the shortest track on the CD, but it is a melodic modern pop metal treat that delivers the goods with surgical precision! The riffing from DeAntonio is spot on and oh so tasty! DiStefano’s vocals are even more emotional on this track, especially during the chorus. Everything just blends so perfectly! I am amazed at how skilled Jaded Faith is at nailing the art of what makes a great, catchy rock song! They do it so well!

Break out the flags, it’s time to get patriotic! “Soldier” is a fitting tribute song to the men and women who fight to keep our country safe and give us all the freedom to ROCK! While the keyboard melody soars through the song like a majestic bald eagle, the ground forces led by more great vocals from DiStefano, infectious riffs and soloing by DeAntonio, and the bass and drums of the Lewis and Fischetti tank division will certainly establish a beachhead for this track in your mind. It’s a fitting conclusion to an EP that is just so amazingly well done.

Well, what can I say? Now that this EP is over I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it was worth the wait! I have a feeling that Jaded Faith may soon be all over the airwaves in the United States as they have become masters of the art of making infectious, thoughtful, and energetic melodic rock and metal music! I honestly hope that Jaded Faith continues to soldier on and keep fighting for the record deal and recognition that they most surely deserve. But, as the title of their EP suggests, I believe they have only scratched the surface and we haven’t heard the half of it yet! I anxiously await a full-length album!