ARMS "I Wish You Were Down Here With Me"

The album opens with a raw, frenetic brand of core screamed hardcore, not unlike The Locust or Converge in it's chaotic intentions. They kept the intensity up with the more double-bass-propelled assault for "In A Glass Cage' as the use of effects on the vocals feels more like early Today is the Day, but with more of a metallic energy. "Call My Fucking Name" finds the moan Deftones-like vocal coming in; this song is more experimental but also less focused. They continue this vibe in a more pummeling fashion for "Say I  For Me".  Dynamically, this song works a little better than the previous song, but the frantic riff shifting can be alot to keep up with if you are not ready for it. 

"Ero Guro" finds them converting over to the more nu-metal groove that leans into this Deftones/ Glassjaw vibe, with a more atmospheric haze haunting the song with a sensual slither. Normally I am not down with bands borrowing this heavilly from a band I already like, but it works well enough here. "Placebo Fuck" sounds like neither Placebo nor fucking. It is very chaotic and in your face, so more like jackhammer on meth fucking. They do go into a more Jesus Lizard tension with a riff it breaks down into. Some actual singing comes in midway through the song, but it sits way back in the mix. 

"Nubile Contagion" carries more of a rock n roll groove. It makes for a more crazed syncopation, and it goes into the kinda crazed borderline nu-metal/powerviolence-inflected math-core that is this album's lifeblood. At two minutes, "I Wish" is a more finely coiled punch. "You Were Down" is more effective as it's heavier and more deliberate. It feels more harrowing. At almost 7 minutes long, "Here With Me"  feels almost more like Dillinger Escape Plan in how it weaves and bobs through the labyrinth of angry riffs. The sung vocals return, and a guitar solo surfaces as well. 

"Salo" opens with an electronic thump that helps to break things up. The main riff sounds like it could be from a Rob Zombie song. I also enjoy the darker mood created on "Pass Away" as it's doomy and thus more foreboding. This makes the parts where they come in with the screaming andd temper tantrums more effective.. Overall, this Orlando-based band takes familiar elements and makes them their own. I will give this album a 9,5, and see how often i return to it, but if you are into chaotic metalcore that understands the assignment when it comes to the hardcore side of the equation, then this might be your bag of tricks. The album doesn't drop until December 4th, so hopefully the track below can keep you statisfied til then. 

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