This hard-core band is obviously from the West Coast. Most West Coast hard-core makes me think of skating boarding. The Barbarians of California's new album "And Now I'm Just Gnashing My Teeth"(oneRPM) carries more of a metallic stomp aligned with modern hardcore. Even the first song reveals that they have an experimental edge. Once you are into the meat of the album, they are bridging hardcore with a nu-metal sound not unlike what System of a Down does. They attack with a more spastic jerk. It's hard to not appreciate the sense of adventure that runs through these songs. The new generation of nu-metal kids who go to festivals like Sick New World are definitely going to dig it. Hardcore purists might have some questions.
"Bazooka" hits with a more metal lumber. They pick up the pace for a more manic groove. I like how it gets darker when the guitar harmonies kick in. "Dopamine Prophecy " pretty much just pounds at you with senseless violence, though with more groove than say grindcore. They are joined by Tim from Rise Against, for "Three Letters". The varied vocal colors work well on this one. "Where Are the Punks" has them chanting about bombs again, the main riff has more of a Slipknot-like grit, but it works well. 'By the Time I Get to Mexico" feels like a less moody version of 'Adrenaline" era Deftones., but with Slayer guitar solos thrown in.
"Mr Microphone" is heavy, but it's all over the place in the beat down it tries to serve up. They would get points for having Daryl from Snapcase, but the rest of the song sounds like System of Down. It is not the album's best song, though I think their take on the nu-metal revival has some merit and they generally care about songwriting even when they Slip into knotting. I will give this album a 9 as it's a lot of fun even if I don't listen to it again.
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