Is it bad that I want to see who would win in a fight/make out session between Walls of Jericho’s Candace Kucsulain and Bloodlined Calligraphy’s Ally French? Anyways, arguably Kucsulain is one of the most venomous female mouths in modern metal and it appears that the band, with their third album, is on par with her vocal performance.Though not playing anything new with their thrash based hardcore, as All Out War is still a tangible reference point, but by god Kucsulain (especially) and co. deliver the goods with a truly acidic and abrasive intensity that’s hard to ignore.
With only one exception, the 11 seething balls of PMS fueled vitriol come spewing out of the speakers with the ravaging conviction of a coked up cobra; striking, hissing and spitting with precise aggression. “A Trigger Full of Promises,” “I Know Hollywood and You Ain’t It,” “And Hope to Die,” “Plastic,” and “Try. Fall. Repeat” are all early attention getting numbers, making for a wickedly merciless first few tracks to the album as the runaway train pacing is littered with the odd gang chant and slow rumble (no, not breakdown). “The Haunted” provides a sort of mid album respite but delivers a surprisingly catchy chorus, but “And the Dead Shall Walk Again” and “Another Day, Another Idiot” returns to the sonic bolliking.
Now, “No Saving Me” is the exception I was talking about earlier, and yes it’s a Evanescence-ish ballad. However, Kucsulain shows great vocal range and mood, and the piercing scream/peak at 3:30 is pretty fucking rending and I imagine it would be a safe choice for a forthcoming single/video. For those that despise ballads (I personally think it’s a standout track on the album), things are “righted” with “Welcome Home” and the closing chuggtastic title track.
Even though the band now has Ozzfestitis and it’s associated stigma with “cool” metal fans, I expect the ethic and approach of the band to carry them so they continue to deliver hard edged, no nonsense metal.
