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Cursed
I


4.0
excellent

Review

by ffs USER (61 Reviews)
March 6th, 2010 | 58 replies


Release Date: 2003 | Tracklist


Cursed were not a band who did things by half measures. If you've heard of them, it's likely that you've heard the story of their demise at the hands of a robbery right at the very end of a European tour. A travesty, to be sure, but what more of a fitting way for a band like Cursed to end? It's pretty profound when you consider it; with their bitter lyrical themes about the detrimental and ultimately pointless nature of work, it's an almost perfect irony that they would be destroyed after working so hard.

The band's first full length, logically titled I, begins in earnest with "Polygraph" and while some sampled female voice babbles about dismemberment or something we're treated to thick, fast riffs just dripping with crusty sludge, unrelenting drums from a man appropriately nicknamed "The Mauler", and a few screams from vocalist Chris Colohan. As the tempo increases suddenly the music cuts out and we're introduced more formally to Colohan's voice, his voice is throaty, rough and utterly pissed-off.

There is definitely something to be said for Colohan's vocal work. While he may not be an unbelievably original vocalist, and not varied in a particularly noticeable way, he is clearly passionate about every single word he roars into the microphone and never lets up on anger. But more than this, his voice is... catchy. There's no other word for it. Obviously we're not talking Lady Gaga here, but it's undeniable that lines like "line 'em up and point the blame // us and them one and the same" or "nineteen-seventy-four // you got what you came for" are delivered with such agreeable aggression that you'll want to mosh like a bastard, or at least nod your head.

The instrumental work is solid throughout the album, the great riffs are made superb by the chunky and distorted tone of the guitar. "The Mauler" constantly beats the *** out of his drum-kit, constantly fitting in fills while keeping in time with the rapid tempo. It's already been mentioned that Cursed have a clear sludge influence, and they explore it most on the two longest songs on the album, "How Great Things Happen When You Give Up Hope" and "Opposable Thumbs", more so on the former. This song has the least input from Colohan on the entire album, but doesn't suffer for it. It slowly but surely overwhelms the listener, starting out slowly and dejectedly at first but after a great riff and outstanding bass-line kick in at about the halfway mark the song approaches a victorious climax, while an undiscernable sampled voice presumably begs for mercy.

Cursed have left an interesting legacy, and while there are definitely more prolific bands in the hardcore scene, it's fair to say Cursed had an attitude that is seldom matched, and they kept it throughout their criminally short discography.

4.2/5



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user ratings (323)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
ffs
March 6th 2010


6326 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i think some (the original?) versions dont have "how great things happen when you give up hope" but its on the one i have so i reviewed it

Ulsufyring
March 6th 2010


1748 Comments


i partially support this review

SCREAM!
March 10th 2010


15755 Comments


Album rules. Gotta check out II soon.

Well done

ffs
March 10th 2010


6326 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i prefer this to II, still havent listened to III

Regulator
November 9th 2010


623 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this band was so good.

Regulator
November 9th 2010


623 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

also, III is a great album. i rank it as their best

eternium
February 11th 2011


16358 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This is better than II.

cvlts
February 11th 2011


9943 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

III shits on this though

GnarlyShillelagh
July 19th 2011


6385 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah so this might be a 4.5



Excited to hear II because I've heard that it's their best, but judging by the comments on this thread, maybe I'm mistaken.

Realm
July 19th 2011


2512 Comments


NasdfIGTERNIUMdaslkj

ffs
July 19th 2011


6326 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

1 year later opinion: II is as good as this, and still havent listened to III hheh woops

Adabelle
July 19th 2011


4425 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This and II are about the same for me, God and Country is so slick though..

alachlahol
July 19th 2011


7593 Comments


heads up I, II, and III are all equally rockin cant choose which one to put in the car with me at times

Arked
September 21st 2011


170 Comments


band fuckin rawks

Adabelle
January 21st 2012


4425 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

THIS BODY'S BEEN DEAD NOT SEVEN DAYS

MalleusMaleficarum
March 14th 2012


16396 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

nigga, u trollin'

Sunn177
June 20th 2012


310 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

God this is so fucking good!haven't heard II or III yet but definitely checking them out.

Quen
July 3rd 2012


1633 Comments


fucking slays

Quen
July 3rd 2012


1633 Comments


this is the only thing ive heard from these guys

Quen
July 3rd 2012


1633 Comments


i dont like trying to digest multiple albums from the same artist at the same time.



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