I will purposefully avoid applying this album’s title to any aspect of the band in question, and its previous release (which I already bitched about). It’s just too goddamned easy, and doesn’t even begin to approach clever. I just wish others who post reviews online had the same self-respect.
1. Resurrection – Great driving drums. I especially like the guitar riff used to round out the chorus. This is quite the anger-filled song, with the lyrics aimed squarely at Roadrunner (their former label). The breakdown at the end is completely unnecessary.
2. Pleasure in Pain – This song is the first where they use crazy Swedish-metal sounding harmonizing in the vocals. Not a bad tune overall, but nothing outstanding.
3. Worthless – Old-school thrash-metal riffs in this one; if you ignore the chorus, you could be forgiven for thinking it came off a late eighties thrash album. Same goes for the lead solo. That said, the chorus ruins it for me.
4. Six – Finally, some variety. It starts off way different than the other three; slower, and not trying too hard. Really good use of the “acoustic” guitar in the intro. Then–blam–back to the script, only more relentless… until… yet another unnecessarily slow breakdown-come-chorus. Hatebreed? Table for four? Your table’s ready. It’s a shame, because there are parts of this song that outright motherfuckin’ rock.
5. No Reason to Live – Another slow start followed by some Fear Factory-esque naked snare and distorted bass. After that, there’s no reason to listen. You’ve already heard this song (see above).
6. Killing the Beast – Just keep saying the title of the song over and over in your head. There. You wrote the same song as Chimaira. Where’s your royalty check?
7. The Flame – Nice chunky riffs at the beginning. On the surface, this sounds like a pretty tough song; its lyrics are brutal. Some pretty cool guitar shit in there, too. Then at the end, you realize it’s about a guy kidtouching on his daughter, then killing her. What the fuck? Okay, so they wrote a Slipknot song… whatever.
8. End It All – This one’s a little more riffy than all the others, and brings back the crazy harmonizing. It actually works in this song, which is the best on the album. It’s definitely a keeper. Should have ended “it all” (read: the album) with this one; go out on a high note you bitter, self-loathing motherfuckers.
9. Black Heart – This song could very well be mistaken for a Ministry rip-off. Except for the limp guitar solos and lack of… yup… heart (whatever the color).
10. Needle – Heavy and sound-thick as elephant shit. Good tempo change-ups. A great driving song ‘cuz the motherfuckers tear shit up at the end. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking… it’s a Slipknot track! True, but also the 2nd best song on the album. p.s. It’s about heroin.
11. Empire – An anthem to martyrdom, replete with some “churchy” choir-ish touches and killer double-kicks. Not a bad song if you ignore the stupid fucking lyrics.
All of the songs sound the same. The vocals are overall gritty and dry-throated, but still intelligible. Then there’s that whole “I’m the stereotypical (pick one) goth/emo/suicidal/misunderstood/dope-fiend teenager” bullshit behind all the lyrics. I hate everyone and everything because I consider myself worthless because my mean old daddy beat that concept of worthlessness indelibly into my semi-functioning brain, whereas the brain damage was either genetically or beat-down induced.
Whatever.
It’s just this type of lyrical tripe that bolsters the paranoid delusions of crazy-as-fuck, self-perceived “outcasts” with access to daddy’s gun cabinet. You know what I’m talking about.
The guys had a chance to redeem themselves. And, to a certain extent, they did so.
But Jesus Fucking Christ… lay off the personal negative shit and just rock the fuck out, why don’t ya’? You could have. You should have. You didn’t; you ruined it with bullshit words.
The music alone gets a six; a bit more variety would’ve helped. The lyrics get a four when I’m in a good mood and willing to forgive abject idiocy. That there’s what we call a five here at the Fury.
-Gary
A joint review via IM.
A quick review. Not a single complete sentence.
First of all, I must give thanks to [insert the name of your favorite omniscient being here], because I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. All that aside: Here’s my review of the new Clutch album From Beale Street to Oblivion.