Though Failure was a somber masterpiece, and Defiance was decent, but excessively futurepop-ish, Contempt holds a place in my mind as Tom Shear's best contribution. Contempt was his first, and his best. It was a lot harder, faster (for the most part), and darker than his other material, while still retaining his epic clean vocals, and his gritty growls (not seen to often on the 2 following albums). The lyrics are great, and the music is brilliantly pieced together.