Nodes of Ranvier possess what some would consider, “stereotypical heavy metal” qualities.

The Christian rock/heavy metal band does not seem very structured in its music and it does not appear as though they are playing as a single band. It is almost as if the band members has an idea of where they want to take the song, but they cannot make up their minds about it.

Because of this, every song ends up sounding the same on the band’s latest album, “Defined by Struggle.” The entire CD sounds like one continuous song with some minor, random changes. While the lyrics are not easy to understand, they convey the band’s Christian values, albeit poorly.

Since Christian music focuses on sending a message, the lyrics are essential. Nodes of Ranvier do not do a good job, lyrically.

While the songs sound the same, so do the instruments. The guitar, for the most part, is the same in all the songs. The double bass drums also carry the same tempo and beat throughout the songs.

This band claims to be “unique and original,” according to its MySpace page, but Nodes of Ranvier appear to share the sound of bands like Mushroomhead and Hatebreed.

Nodes of Ranvier, from Sioux Falls, S.D., were first signed onto the music scene with Facedown Records, and just recently signed to Victory Records.

With Victory Records’ reputation of producing successful and talented artists such as Atreyu, Catch-22, Freya, Taking Back Sunday and Hatebreed, it wouldn’t seem crazy to think that Nodes of Ranvier would live up to the label’s name; but the band turns out to be a disappointment.

If your switch is flipped by hardcore, heavy metal music like Hatebreed or Mushroomhead, give Nodes of Ranvier’s “Defined by Struggle” a look online before you rush out to buy it, but do not be surprised if they do nothing for you musically.

They are unoriginal, unorganized and overall unimpressive.