Hurtlocker- Fear In A Handful Of Dust
Napalm Records, 2005
By James Willcock
First of all, lets get this straight. I love this album. Simple as that. I tell you this now because the rest of this review exists only to praise it.
The first time i hit play i was immediately hit in the face back a pounding thrash/death wall of sound that reminded me of Cannibal Corpse and any number of other such bands. OK I thought, but nothing that special. Then the riff changes into a more melodic thrash riff, a la The Haunted or Lamb Of God, and the deep vocal growl changes up into a mid-timbre bark, reminiscent of bands such as God Forbid, Unearth, etc., a theme continued in the music, which blends thrash riffs with death metal structures and rapid riff changes, with guitar effects that call to mind those used by Decapititated. However, this is distinctly heavier than the metalcore (much as I am loathed to use that word) bands I compare it to, with more emphasis on death structures in the songs. The lyrics are introspective without whining, and the vocal delivery means you can understand what he's saying ("You don't know one thing about me/ Sitting here with my head in my hands/ No absolution for myself", being a particuar favourite of mine). The production is also pleasingly good for a first album on a minor label (Napalm Records, which does belong to the SPV family)
My only real criticisms are that there is a lack of solos, although when they are played they are of a high quality, and the album doesn't instantly grab you, although it is growing on me each time i listen to it. Look out for this band, they show promise, I really don't think I can over sell this band. Also, dont let the labelling of it as metalcore bother you, if only for the simple fact that "metalcore" now seems to refer to almost any new band coming out at the minue that cant be otherwise pigeonholed. Just listen to it for yourself. And you don't believe any of this, they're touring the UK with Cryptopsy at the minute, I'm certainly checking them out.
8/10
Napalm Records, 2005
By James Willcock
First of all, lets get this straight. I love this album. Simple as that. I tell you this now because the rest of this review exists only to praise it.
The first time i hit play i was immediately hit in the face back a pounding thrash/death wall of sound that reminded me of Cannibal Corpse and any number of other such bands. OK I thought, but nothing that special. Then the riff changes into a more melodic thrash riff, a la The Haunted or Lamb Of God, and the deep vocal growl changes up into a mid-timbre bark, reminiscent of bands such as God Forbid, Unearth, etc., a theme continued in the music, which blends thrash riffs with death metal structures and rapid riff changes, with guitar effects that call to mind those used by Decapititated. However, this is distinctly heavier than the metalcore (much as I am loathed to use that word) bands I compare it to, with more emphasis on death structures in the songs. The lyrics are introspective without whining, and the vocal delivery means you can understand what he's saying ("You don't know one thing about me/ Sitting here with my head in my hands/ No absolution for myself", being a particuar favourite of mine). The production is also pleasingly good for a first album on a minor label (Napalm Records, which does belong to the SPV family)
My only real criticisms are that there is a lack of solos, although when they are played they are of a high quality, and the album doesn't instantly grab you, although it is growing on me each time i listen to it. Look out for this band, they show promise, I really don't think I can over sell this band. Also, dont let the labelling of it as metalcore bother you, if only for the simple fact that "metalcore" now seems to refer to almost any new band coming out at the minue that cant be otherwise pigeonholed. Just listen to it for yourself. And you don't believe any of this, they're touring the UK with Cryptopsy at the minute, I'm certainly checking them out.
8/10
