Here's some more diverse hardcore/punk from this band, this time churning out 25 songs in less than 27 minutes. The vocals constantly jump from midrange yelling to higher screaming or some singing, and the music is a mishmash of influences that they manage to blend together very well. You've got really caustic and discordant tracks like "These are the People on Your Message Board" followed by the intriguing melodies of "Shitstorm" that break into some straight melodic hardcore with awesome basslines. It's nuts because the songs run together a lot of times so in some cases you'll think you're listening to the same song for a few minutes when in fact you've gone through two or three different tracks. I also find it curious that the band can somehow be a little bit irritating with their abrasiveness and then turn right around and break off some totally catchy pop punk inspired passages (think I-Spy or something) that jump right out at you. Shit, there are even some rocked out indie-ish elements that remind me of everyone from Endpoint to Fugazi, with everything sort of wrapped around a core of fairly fast, melodic hardcore/punk. I do find the production to be a little too thin for the songs to be done full justice, though. The mix is alright, and the drums sounds fine, but the vocals are mixed a little farther out front than they might need to be, and the high-end bite of the guitars is too much. The bass tone is decent, but the basslines are fucking incredible and deserve a slightly more dominant role (consistently). I don't mind that the guitar performance gets sloppy sometimes, but I do think that the guitars need more low-end. I'm not saying make them heavy, just take out some treble and thicken things up - let the instruments work together, you know? The packaging is pretty interesting. There are two booklets. The outer booklet is a four-panel deal with some illustrations on each side (one of which curiously hints at some political issues), and the inner booklet folds out into a double sided six-panel insert with lyrics and song explanations on each side. The lyrics cover various topics from the post-9/11 climate of fear in the US, to physical abuse, to various angles of communication, or perceptions of the scene in general, but it seems that for the most part the songs have an underlying positive message and sincerely hope for change. "This is not a song but a statement; this is not a band but a declaration. Not an anthem but an idea, a thought, a moment in time, a purpose never forgotten. In whatever may go astray I maintain this will to question, to listen, to learn..." I like this band a lot, the first time I heard 'em I turned my head, and I've been interested in their work ever since. I think they have more potential at their disposal than they've ever truly made use of, but I still hope that one day they might cut loose and totally blow my mind. I think this record could've done that in large part were the recording a tad easier on the ears.
[Black Matter]
Running time - 26:29, Tracks: 25
[Notable tracks: Shitstorm, Heroes, The Chinaski Racetrack School of Life, Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck Goose, 2003]
Black Matter - http://www.haterofgod.com
