Every Time I Die "Hot Damn!" CD
[Ferret]
Okay, the layout on this fucker is nuts. The jewel case comes in a slipsleeve that has some misleading artwork on the front (the album title written in blood on a metal wall with a bloody hand sliding down off the side)... And then you take out the case and the booklet is fucking huge and has some photos of two girls making out or whatever with lots of big, bold text brandishing phrases like "Get Your Gun Because God Won't Show" or "The Greatest Lovers Were Murderers First". All of the lyrics and whatnot are then crammed onto the last four pages of the booklet. There are tons of sexual references in the lyrics as well, but the way they're written is really well done, and there's obviously more going on underneath the surface. "It doesn't get any better than this so run like hell. This is a rock and roll takeover. Living each day one night at a time. There were mercy fucks, there was blood. You should have been there by my side. This is passion, this is red handed denial. I have no lover and she hasn't the prettiest eyes. Last call, kill it." Musically this is not unlike their last record in its use of breakneck changes and dissonant riffing that still reminds me of Botch and that kid of thing, and it's still not what I would call original, but I still enjoy it... and their songwriting is still a hell of a lot better than most of their contemporaries. They keep things short and to the point, and the mass quantities of all over the place changes actually manage to land on all fours and work themselves out perfectly. Hell, this time out they even drop the occasional death/grind riff, believe it or not. And "I Been Gone a Long Time" kicks out some raging southern fried rock riffing towards the end, even taking a break from the raging screams for some gruff singing - reminiscent of Alabama Thunderpussy actually. "In the Event That Everything Should Go Terribly Wrong" is a fucking masterpiece, immediately jumping out because not only is it about 1/3 the tempo of every other song, but it's at least 10 times as melodic and forceful, complete with awesome singing vocals - a totally different vibe that fucking kicks your ass all over the place all the same... even more so, really. As for the recording, I like the bass presence, the tone is nice and distinct and the bass is placed well in the mix. I'd turn the shit up even louder it sounds so good, and it would kick ass were it even more dominant, but whatever... it's there and it rules. I think the guitars are a little bit loud and slightly choppy to some degree, but mainly because the drums sound slick and I really like the warmth of the vocals - which are almost relentlessly aggressive throughout. A great sound overall, though. Definitely a step up from the past. Hot damn, indeed. This rocks. (7/10)
Running time - 27:02, Tracks: 10
[Notable tracks: Off Broadway, I Been Gone a Long Time, In the Event That Everything Should Go Terribly Wrong]
Ferret Music - http://www.ferretstyle.com

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