| Municipal Waste The Art of Partying |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Pre-Game
2. The Art of Partying
3. Headbanger Face Rip
4. Mental Shock
5. A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Destroyer)
6. The Inebriator
7. Lunch Hall Food Brawl
8. Beer Pressure
9. Chemically Altered
10. Sadistic Magician
11. Open Your Mind
12. Radioactive Force
13. Septic Detonation
14. Rigorous Vengeance
15. Born to Party
| Ranking: #160 for 2007 | |
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On 13 Lists
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| Summary: Everyone's favourite US Thrashers provide us with another short, fast and predicatable affair. |
6 of 6 thought this review was well written
If you're a fan of Hardcore and/or Thrash Metal, you would no doubt have heard of the USA's latest Thrash sensation, Municipal Waste. Since their 2003 debut Waste 'Em All, the Waste have been consistently churning out "Crossover" in the vein of Nuclear Assault and Wehrmacht for legions of old-school Thrash fans who are always on the lookout for albums which hark back to the glory days of the mid '80s. 2005 even saw them sign to one of the Metal's biggest labels, Earache Records, and release their sophomore album Hazardous Mutation, which is quite an achievement considering most of their peers are usually left toiling in their underground scenes. Hazardous Mutation saw them leave behind the raw, 50 second bursts and present us a polished album containing 2:38 epics such as "Bang Over".
And now, after two years of what has seemed like non-stop touring, the band spent late last year and the early months of '07 writing and recording their third album, the appropriately named The Art of Partying. It sees Municipal Waste picking up exactly where they left off with Hazardous Mutation, where sharp and fast Thrash songs lasting no more than two-and-a-half minutes are the order of the day.
See, while Hazardous Mutation was not without its flaws, the real strength of the album was it's ability to mesh together fast sometimes melodic riffs, with vocal hooks and frantic drumming all while keeping things somewhat fresh throughout the duration. The Art of Partying, however, sets the pace with the title track, then keeps it there for the remaining 28 minutes. Hazardous Mutation suffered from this too, but it's so much more obvious on The Art of Partying that it’s difficult to turn a blind eye. There's no "Abusement Park" to keep the hooks coming in the middle, and there's no "Mind Eraser" to mix up the formula a little toward the end. The Art of Partying begins and ends on a great note, but the majority of the material is really unremarkable. Sure, there's a few hooks scattered in there and a couple of great half-time sections, but I struggle to recall what part belongs to which song, and I’ve given it more than enough listens in reviewing the album. Survive, this is not.
Instrumentally the album holds up well enough, with Dave Witte's manic drumming in particular being a highlight. The guitar work is solid, textbook Thrash playing, with simple powerchord riffs and rampant e string abuse abound, the vocals courtesy of Tony Foresta are his usual frantic shout and the Bass pretty much goes wherever the Guitar does. While the band aren't virtuosos by any means, they are pretty tight and it's quite obvious that given the simple nature of their music, they would be more than able to present an extremely fun live show while not sounding like crap.
Despite The Art of Partying's flaws, when it's good, it's some of the best fun you can have with a Metal album. The title track and "Headbanger Face Rip" are able to fill you with youthful energy after a mere 30 seconds, and would surely be great to experience to see live, with the band playing in a small room with fans bouncing off the walls. The re-recorded and extended version of Born To Party is fantastic too, with the infectious "Municipal Waste is gonna FUCK YOU UP!" section demanding many rewinds. Sadly, these moments just aren't as frequent as they should be. "Born To Party" originally appeared on Municipal Waste's split with Crucial Unit way back in 2002, and is definitely the highlight of the album. Coincidence? I think not.
In the end, Municipal Waste has predictably provided us with another solid Thrash release. If you're looking for a band evolving and expanding on their previous releases, look elsewhere, but if you're a die hard fan of Municipal Waste or Thrash in general you'll probably find it caters to your needs quite nicely.
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Album Rating: 3
Nice review. I loved HM, and probably will check this out sometime, even if its more of the same or not as good.
Digging: Okkervil River - The Stand Ins | | |
Not to be anal but this doesn't come out for another month and a half, how are you reviewing this and able to submit right now?
Edit: Good review by the way.This Message Edited On 06.15.07
Digging: VersaEmerge - VersaEmerge
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It's out where he lives.
Digging: Immolation - Unholy Cult
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this actually came out on june 11th i believe
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This came out on the 11th june actually, somebody messed up the dates
Digging: Radiohead - OK Computer
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is there an echo
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sorry didnt see your post, i was posting mine in the meantime
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I hate most thrash cause it always seems to be the exact same damn thing.
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I hate most thrash cause it always seems to be the exact same damn thing.
I think the same about black-metal. But I'm pretty tired of thrash for the moment so I'm looking more into death and such. This thrash band right here doesn't make me interested.
Btw, good to see a thrash review from you Raids! :thumb:
Digging: Raubtier - Det Finns Bara Krig
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crossover thrash and thrash arent the same thing
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AHHH, darn release dates I'm a little slow. Anyways it says in your review they would be able to present a very fun and entertaining live show. HELL YES, saw them last year at SOTU on the only stop they played, had no clue who they were, and they were awesome. You should change the release date now so idiots like me won't be confused.
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A lot of typical black metal originated from thrash so naturally I do agree with you.
Which is why a lot of the black metal I like is by no means typical :thumb:This Message Edited On 06.15.07
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It was delayed until that date but it's out where he lives.
"According to Blabbermouth.net, Municipal Waste have delayed the release of their much anticipated third studio album The Art Of Partying until July 31. The album was due to hit stores on June 11."
We have news on this site for a reason.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
AHHH, darn release dates I'm a little slow. Anyways it says in your review they would be able to present a very fun and entertaining live show. HELL YES, saw them last year at SOTU on the only stop they played, had no clue who they were, and they were awesome. You should change the release date now so idiots like me won't be confused.
I regret not seeing them when I had the chance last year.This Message Edited On 06.15.07
Digging: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Live and Let Die | | |
This is an excellent review, it's beautifully written and well-crafted. I've heard of MW but I never took the time out to listen to their material. I'll probably skip The Art of Partying and sample the band's earlier material instead. Good job!
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Ye these guys aren't that good, the vocals are terribly annoying and I can why they would do better live.
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Good review.
I don't find this very interesting.
Digging: Regina Spektor - Far
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Whoa, wait. Dave Witte? I never realized :o!
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Great work Jono, you just need to fix this:
it's flaws
I didn't like what I've heard of MW so I doubt I'd like this any better.
Digging: Fugazi - 13 Songs
| | | Album Rating: 4
Better than Waste 'em All, but not as good as Haz Mut. Album still rules.
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