Not bad. Brutal metallic hardcore from Detroit in the vein of Throwdown and Bury Your Dead, but with vocals that sound more unique in being a little higher-pitched and hoarser than average. The band features former members of The Black Dahlia Murder, but this isn't all that metal at all. Admittedly the vocal approach takes some getting used to, but I'm big on the music because it's no frills metallic hardcore with heavy NYHC chord progressions, a little added modern groove, and just a smidge of melody to add a little more flavor. It's nothing new really, you'll be in for short and to the point songs, lots of massive breakdowns, plenty of heavy old school sounding rhythms without so much of an emphasis on the metallic side of the fence, etc. The humorously titled "Knuckle Sandwich" is a little faster and more in your face at points despite being one of the longer tracks (still just a hair under three minutes, though); "Thursday the 12th" adds just enough melody to its chords to make the chorus catchier than most of the other material; and "Like Sands Through the Hourglass" throws around more chugging heaviness and slower tempos that are in line with the genre's more contemporary side. For the most part the songs do sound quite similar to one another, but at 25 minutes or so in total length that's cool with me because they're consistent writers and none of these songs are weak at all. The recording needs an extra push but definitely gets the job done. Maybe throw a little more bass guitar in there to pump up the center of the mix, but the guitars are decent. A little more crunch would be nice, but that's about it. The drums are almost too rigid but the mix keeps that in check. The vocals might sound better with more depth or texture, but again, the mix helps keep all of that in line by letting the guitars run the show. The layout keeps it fairly simple with a few band photos, lots of black space, bold and blocky text, and some faint tattoo styled imagery. The lyrics are pissed as hell, with a few subtly sarcastic song titles, but I actually like the direct delivery of the content for the most part. "There is no holding back too little will be too late you have been cut off too bad so sad who gets the last laugh now can't take you I hate you more than words can say fists will do just fine." Good stuff. I've heard better, but a slightly stronger recording would put this disc right on the level with some of the more "popular" bands of this ilk. I'm into it.
[Spook City]
Running time - 25:36, Tracks: 10
[Notable tracks: Knuckle Sandwich, Thursday the 12th, Like Sands Through the Hourglass]
Spook City Records - http://www.spookcityusa.com
