Review Summary: Absurdity and brutality walk into a bar...
Does anyone remember the era of MySpace metalcore? I sure do, and boy, was it a time that I wish I could forget; straightened black hair, neon cartoon monster merch, and most importantly, dozens upon dozens of poorly produced, atrociously written albums, albums that, at the time, core kids across the country dubbed as exciting, entertaining, and (dare I spell it this way) "totally br00tal man!"Bands such as Heavy Heavy Low Low and Drop Dead Gorgeous reigned supreme in the mid-to-late 2000's scene; the chugged riffs, the spastic blast beats, and the once hilarious comedic audio snippets wiggling their way into my eardrums, creating an uncontrollable urge within me to violently flail my arms in circles, like a hyperactive toddler who managed to get his hands on one too many sugar-packed beverages. But of course, these groups never stood the test of time, and for obvious reasons. As the years passed by, so did my level of maturity, as well my ability to recognize immaturity. MySpace gave way to Facebook, trips to Spencer's to buy lip rings were traded for trips to Kohl's to buy basic tees, and bands like iwrestledabearonce and Duck Duck Goose were replaced with Botch and The Dillinger Escape Plan.
Still, despite how often I've nearly vomited in my mouth going through my old YouTube account, clicking on the various music videos and album uploads I added on my liked playlist back in 2009 before I abandoned it, there's always been a part of me that misses it. Not so much the genre entirely, but rather specific elements of it that I look for in newer metal and hardcore music; the ridiculousness of it all, the mosh-inducing breakdowns, the raw energy and chaos that it emitted, the originality and the unexpected changes lurking around every corner. If only there was a band that was willing to go against the grain and bring back this sound, but up the production quality, trim the cringe-worthy moments, and create a more enjoyable experience overall, one suitable for a modern listener that wants to relive their past over and over again...
I suppose SeeYouSpaceCowboy read my mind, because not only did this compilation meet my expectations, it surpassed them. "Songs For The Firing Squad" is (to put it briefly) an 18-minute-long aural assault. It is an insane concoction of absurdity and pure brutality, thrown into a blender, chopped into oblivion, poured out into a bowl, and forced down your throat, broken bits of ceramic and all. Combining elements of post-hardcore, early mathcore, and even a bit of post-punk for an added flair, SeeYouSpaceCowboy crank out song after song riddled with face-melting blast beats and slamming breakdowns that are offset by dizzying, unsettling, and oddly danceable two-step beats, ones that would make even the toughest of metal gatekeepers and elitists want to get off their ass and prance around the room, uncontrollable and totally unhinged. These two vastly different styles contrast each other extremely well, and are recycled back and forth constantly yet abruptly throughout the album in a bipolar manner that leaves the listener on the edge of their seat. Miraculously, it doesn't get stale or predictable, each track sounding just as fresh and enjoyable as the last. The instumental performance is quite the trip, but vocalist Connie Sgarbosa is undoubtedly the star of the show, her performance top notch as she switches back and forth between throat-shredding screams and what could only be described as spoken word, the latter oozing with sassiness, drama, and teen angst in the form of social commentary and over-the-top delivery. It truly is the icing on the cake, one composed of frantic riffs, panic chords, and memories you never knew you wanted to rekindle. And this cake won't leave you hungry or too full either, as "Songs For The Firing Sqaud" hardly overstays its welcome with its short runtime while also serving up enough substance to thoroughly satisfy their fans.
By extracting the awkwardness that plagued most metalcore acts circa 2007, exchanging it with preposterousness, and crafting well-produced, filthy, and abrasive instrumentals that could go toe-to-toe with some of Converge's heaviest material, SeeYouSpaceCowboy have crafted a proper helping of revivalism suited for today's age. "Songs For The Firing Squad" is a triumph, one that will make you smile, bang your head, and mosh alone in your bedroom all over again. Just don't break anything kiddo, remember, you need to save money for that new T-Mobile Sidekick you've been wanting.
