This is a weird one, but I think this is a band to watch for numerous reasons, which I'll get to in a bit.? Anyway, the bulk of this stuff is basically quirky math metal, so you're in for plenty of churning power chord rhythms and subtly fucked up twists in time signatures and arrangements, alongside thick dissonance and plenty of winding note patterns and stuff.? There's so much more going on though, from doses of sludgy doom or "stoner rock" to thrash and more... a hell of a lot more, to be precise.? Impossible not to mention as a defining characteristic of the band are the over the top vocals, which shift from a more straightforward screaming or grunting to wild howling and yelping, usually with really rhythmic vocal arrangements that bounce around between the already rhythmic musical backbone, though the vocals are actually a little more staccato perhaps.? I definitely feel like portions of the vocal delivery are a little overbearing, but it makes sense, and I think some work on the recording could alleviate some of the issues, so I'll touch on that later.? "Hollow Victory or Sin" is hands down my favorite track and I think acts as a great indicator of what this band has to offer, immediately jumping in with a little more of an immediacy to it, effectively shifting through lots of quick changes and rhythmic surges while generally reverting back to a really memorable sludge run that leaves a mark.? "Idolized in Pink" hits on some dissonant metalcore elements as well as some tremolo picking, but again it feels a little more energetic and focused so I really dig it.? The seven-minute "Live Wire Touches Wet Blanket" opens with pulsing bass and abstract guitar noises that create a loose ambient sort of vibe before the drums introduce a darker and sludgier approach with a crawling tempo that glides back and forth between palm-muting and discordant note bends - eventually returning to this type of approach after a more frenetic sequence by landing on a repetitious platter of gritty pull-offs and such before closing with some oddball clean chords under a massive dose of watery effects.? Though short, "N.Y.C." is probably the most linearly diverse track, blowing through chaotic metalcore, a killer chord progression that hints at very subtle melody (awesomely done), some total thrash, and a dash of flat out math metal.? And what about the 30-second "reggae" flirtations out of nowhere in the midst of the schizophrenic "Rhetorical Question"?? The other longer piece, closer "Urgently Missing Something", is similarly more consistently chunky and atmospheric, even dropping a nice clean break near the middle that I wish would stick around for longer.? Now, onto the picky stuff.? Were they to tighten up the performances a little bit and employ a thicker recording I think they'd come across as far more intense.? Make no mistake, the performances are pretty solid as is, and there are no faults so significant that I take a real issue with ?em, but some of the more layered guitar work is a little too loose, and there are some instances where the drums feel like they might lag in short spurts as well.? There's a definite element of looseness to aspects of this music, and I can understand that playing a role, but since the bulk of what they're doing is very controlled I think the "loose" elements should follow suit, so they should control that intentionally sloppy or frantic edge a little better (most notably in tracks like "Rhetorical Question", which lose a lot of steam during the pronounced dual guitar harmonies and such - though honestly I think some of those riffs are pretty annoying anyway).? Sound-wise they're on the right track but the mix could use more balance and I would wholeheartedly encourage them to use a significantly heavier guitar tone.? I like the dry, natural presence of the drumming, the bass is nice and thick and makes itself known, and the vocals are in check more often than not.? The guitars, though, while not far off, need some added force.? Perhaps they were shooting for a little more of a crisper sound like this to allow clarity, but I'm certain they could've achieved that with a harder hitting level of distortion, and doing so would've made some of these riffs sound so much fuller and in your face that it would be fucking awesome.? Sometimes the vocals and bits of the drumming start to lean out front and overpower the main foundation, so the mix needs a little attention too, but... for a self-released effort they've done pretty well.? Visually everything is done in muted tones and keeps things simple.? It does look a little plain to me, but it gets the job done.? I wish they had included all of the lyrics, because the song titles are curious and the one passage of what I assume are lyrics that was included is pretty damn interesting, what with lines like, "I don't know why I subdue. Shouldn't lie. Untrue. Your pride will make disease. Silent night suggestive. Wilting reflection. Quick turnaround. We're sick." All in all this is a cool CD that's rough around the edges. At its peak performance the songwriting is damn good, whereas some of the tracks feel a little long or don't exactly pull off the transitions as well as "Hollow Victory or Sin" does. But in the end I really think polishing up the recording and the playing will make an immense difference, and with time I hope things fall into place, because I'd like to hear more from these guys. There's a lot to try and grasp here...
[self-released]
Running time - 37:21, Tracks: 8
[Notable tracks: Hollow Victory or Sin, Idolized in Pink, Urgently Missing Something]
Wetnurse - http://www.wetnurse.net
