Review Summary: Birth of The Bull and The Labyrinth is a complete generic mess that is being brutal for the sake of being brutal.
There has been a plethora of bands making music for the sake of brutality. Tragic Hero Records is still a young label, about three years old, trying to find its niche in the industrial. How do these two different pieces fit together? Well, the latest signings of Tragic Hero Records, Wrath and Rapture and The Fight Between Frames, are two bands that seems to be making music for the sake of brutality. We got our first chance to dissect these signings when The Fight Between Frames released their debut EP
Birth of The Bull and The Labyrinth on July 1st(Online)/22nd(Smartpunk).
The Fight Between Frames hails form Lafayette, LA and allows their southern roots seep into their brand of chaotic metalcore. Their bassist, Tyler, says it best, “We just want to play fast, in your face music that’s fun and energetic.” To succeed to where they are at now, they have had to deal with a drummer who was a drug addict, who also stole over half their merchandise and all of their money. When the found a new drummer they booked some time to record the EP with Drew Fulk (Advent, Akissforjersey, My Hero Is Me) of Yosemite Mudflap. It only took them three or four days to record the six song EP. Did they rush the album out or did they work best with the pressure on them?
Let’s get one thing straight, they do play fast and in your face, with no song over four minutes. The problem is that they play fast generic metalcore with almost no original southern aspects in their sound. When “
By Paypal Authority” starts, you are hit with generic guitar riffs and some less than desirable vocals. The guitar riff then changes to a generic southern rock riff with laughable gang vocals and overused double bass backing it up. Their only chaotic aspect is the vocals being all over the place and not being able to stay in once spot for a decent amount of time. You actually get a somewhat enjoyable solo near the beginning of “
Welcome, Welcome to the White City”.
“
Welcome, Welcome to the White City” shows the best example of making music just for the brutality; with the distorted guitar riffs through the whole song, and the guttural scream at the end being the most noticeable. The trend just continues through out the whole EP. Each song you are almost certain to find a breakdown, generic riffs trying to be southern, and the vocals being all over the place. The band does surprise you with another southern riff that sounds like you have heard it before on “
Gambling Away Your Livelihood”.
This band is two years old and still is not sure if they want to be Norma Jean/Maylene and The Sons of Disaster rip-offs or Converge rip-offs with breakdowns, blast beats, and a little southern flair. I would like to note that there is actually a great aspect to this band. The vocalist Alex, who is a history major, writes the lyrics, and includes some historical themes into the lyrics and then relates them to present day. It is a shame the band could not tone down the brutality to actually let the listener hear some of the lyrics if they were not reading the lyrics.
Birth of The Bull and The Labyrinth is a complete generic mess that is being brutal for the sake of being brutal. The idea of being signed to Tragic Hero records still has to be in the back of your head because Tommy LaCombe has only signed one band without seeing their live show, A Skylit Drive. Therefore, if given the chance to see them live, it may not be a bad idea even though the EP fails in almost every way possible. Lyrics and bass are wonderful, the guitars are generic, and the vocals and drums are all over the place by trying to be chaotic and brutal.
Recommend Tracks
“Gambling Away Your Livelihood”
“Scooter, Put Your Helmet On”
