I have gradually built a tolerance for this brand of metalcore. Sure they are vegan, from Australia and their lead screamer wears a pig mask, but does any of that matter when you are listening to music? Not just what is coming through the speakers. They are closer to nu-metal than Integrity or Terror. So I guess your definition of hard-core might sway what side of the genre fence these guys are on. They have a great deal of twisting and turning of down-tuned riffs, electronic bells, and whistles haunting the edges of the song, in more of a Slipknot manner. The second song certainly finds them handing out the kind of big-stage rock festival vibes that find trailer park kids trying to pull off a wall of death. Thought more legit than say Attila
They are really into saying fuck you. They are really good at writing staccato riffs that also convey that. I can see kids more into Slaughter to Prevail or Upon a Burning Body being into these guys that fans of Bane or Agnostic Front. So these guys are metalcore, not metallic hardcore. I have already reviewed some great metallic hard-core albums so if that is what you are looking for check out the new SARS album. Otherwise, let's continue here with these guys. "Burn Your Local Butcher" is what you should expect to be expressed from a vegan band I suppose. It's not the most original thing I have heard, and the wheel is not being re-invented when it comes to this sort of thing, but I do appreciate the dark vibes it gives off at times.
The vocals are delivered in a way that you can not always understand the lyrics so the sentiments behind "Vegan Day of Violence" are obscured, though the concept of it not being ok to be cruel to animals, but it being OK to be violent to humans who are also by definition animals is lost, thankfully so since the concept is so absurd, which coming from me who is a nihilist that hopes for the destruction of all things, I just do not like double standards. Whether be for violence or against it, I am fine with either option just be true to whichever side you choose. At almost six minutes"Gas Chamber" is a little long for what feels like it's an instrumental interlude.
"Made in Aus" hits you in the face right from the start with hammering. They let up with the more breakdown feeling of the palm-muted riffs. It's hard not to bob your head to it. They hit you with a few grooves after this one, but things are beginning to sound the same so I find myself listening, for sounds that help break things up. There is a female vocalist who adds melody to this song's climax. But this also brings them closer to nu-metal. "Terrormilitary" carries an almost industrial stomp to it. Which does switch things up sonically, but once again adds a slight Slipknot tone to things. I am glad to hear them explore a wider range of sounds. The less growled more aggressive yelled vocals some more like Corey Taylor, but is this something they really want to escape? I will give this album an 8.5, putting them at the top of the heap for this sort of thing. It just depends on if this is your thing. Drops August 30th on Unique Leader Records.
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