Review Summary: Up to par metalcore musician tactics, witty, sincere lyrics, and a knack to kick you in the nuts.
Anterrabae is during
“Shakedown Tonight”:
Neal Carter - Vocals
Joey Spagna - Guitar
Matt Gorton - Guitar and Piano
Ryan Polker - Bass
Chris Gleason - Drums
Produced by George Fullan
Original Release Date: March 23, 2004
Label as produced: Triple Crown Records
Long Island Metalcore
As it seems these guys are possibly breaking up, I decided to pay tribute to them with a review of there first album which was released back in 2004. I was there at there last show at the Crazy Donkey and they still prove to me that these guys energetic version of music almost makes it inevitable for me to go into the pit. I was introduced into this band back in the 9th grade by a friend of mine and I still listen to this band to this day (and I’m in my 1st year of college). I really don’t believe this band has really got that big outside of Long Island but I hope this review can atleast spark some interest to the natural viewing/listening public. If you’re ready to get into some fresh metal core/post hardcore I don’t see how you could go wrong with trying these guys out. They have the occasional melodic singing that adds a nice touch to the screaming but there’s no doubt that this band will scream right in your face. The bands that you could be fans of to like these guys would probably have to be old Misery Signals, Coalesce, Norma Jean, and Every Time I Die.
I will probably make a lot of references to Every Time I Die - Last Night In Town to this album throughout the review. If this sparks your interest, here we go…
Shakedown Tonight
The album kicks off on such a fast pace and pulls the listener in right away. “How Joey Got His Groove Back” is probably one of there more renowned songs if anyone’s ever heard of this band. The contrast to melodic and screaming vocals present equilibrium to the listener and blend in nicely. The screams are powerful and horse and shows a good introduction to the band. The hardcore styled drumming at around the 2 minute mark will make you circle around and get you off your ass. This band is no stranger to breakdown and the palm muted heaviness of the guitars will put you through the walls. “Dressed to thrill” continues the rampage at a high octane pace.
By this now you should be able to see the resemblance of Neal Carters murderous voice to Keith Buckley’s from the Last Night in Town era. The song seems to be split into two with a short pause in between that sometimes even confuses me.
“Curfews, Alcohol, and Other Jealousy Related Incidents” is a different type of song. It starts off with frantic screams but surely slows down with an accoustic medley with melodic vocals in the background stays the screaming though. The song slowly exits out of that phase and turns up the volume and becomes loud and heavy again. By the 2 minute mark where the interlude takes over the song really does begin to shine with the guitar work. “Clever Shoplifting Tactics” follows a similar route that the previous song did and presents a lot of melody and slow paced parts, which will probably either be a hit or a miss for the listener. I personally like it and don’t really mind it because the song will always come back to the same hard hitting heaviness that it ensures. This song is no different.
“Etcetera” starts off with a heavy metal like guitar tone and quickly sounds like it could be a song off of Every Time I Die - Last Night In Town. The song presents itself again in a similar fashion as “How Joey Got His Groove Back” and “ Dressed to Thrill” and it is just as strong as those tracks. I thought this track was nice because it combined a lot of
Everytime I Die elements and towards the end had a touch of Hopes fall - Satellite Years as well. That is a sexual combo in my mind. “Ready Set Explode” starts off heavy and is really relentless through out. The song has a nasty breakdown and pre-chorus as well on guitar terms. This song definitely makes me want to do a cartwheel and I can’t even do one well.
“Her Face Was A Sturdy In Martyred Innocence”, starts off with “I’m sorry is never enough” repeated continuously and then leads into Neal’s notorious scream. The song feels pretty plain compared to the other ones but I wouldn’t say it’s that bad either. I would skip it on occasion to find better ones because there are simply better ones in song construction and this one just feels boring. “Engage Catch Phrase” is a different story keeping up a nice melodic to scream pace. The vocals trade off from one another with winding octaves and just crescendos at the right speed. The song uses brute force to pound away on the listener but provides clever hooks. “Nevertheless She Was a Mess” continues from the previous song and exhibits pinched harmonics even. This song feels like it could be more appreciated in a live setting since it’s on such a fast pace and would force people to move around.
“Mending Tones From Vowels And Frowns” is just a sexual song. It does all things right, and is probably one of my favorites. The guitar and the drums trade off so well and it keeps a nice rhythm. The vocals are just the icing on the cake for me which are more than great throughout the whole album. The song has another fantastic breakdown which makes it almost inevitable not to tornado and windmill. “CA Speech Goodbye” is a weird song, and it’s the last one. It starts off with a bass introduction and enters into screams but it feels more like a pop-punk song than anything. I’m pretty sure if you replaced the vocals with a pop-punk lead singer the song would work just as well. The song isn’t bad but I didn’t like how it ended the album as much as some of the other songs.
Hoeface
Now that I think of it, and it does make sense a lot of people make reference to this band to old Poison The Well. The melodic and screaming vocals are pretty identical which is true. Nonetheless I don’t know much else I could say to let people give this band a chance. I’m not saying that it’s for everyone but it’s almost certain if you like metal core with sexy breakdowns that you’ll have to like this. It’s not straight out in your face all the time since there is melody in parts but really don’t be such a tough guy than? Even I could accept it and it’s not the level that Underoath or Killswitch Engage even does it. This band has some original factors throughout the album but for the most part it’s a lot about taking what bands have done great, and upgrading it to an even nicer status. I like that a lot, and I know a lot of people will. As for now, if you liked this album I’d definitely go with there sophomore one as well and not be discouraged by lead singer switch. I can barely tell the difference… and it’s just as strong.
Pros:
+ Vocals
+ Guitar Work
+ Lyrics
Cons:
- Questionable Song Order
- Repetition
Please get back together soon guys. I was really sick while writing this so I hope that you could bare with me.
