Yeet. Welcome back to the only internet show that reviews my music collection alphabetically! This week we're doing another double shot with two songs from two different bands.
First up is one of the nastiest, brutalest, bands I can think of - Acrania!
Disclaimer: This band defines themselves as 'politicore' and some of the shit they say is questionable. It should go without saying that this isn't an endorsement of their political beliefs.
Acrania - Depopulation Programme
© Unique Leader Records
Boy, this is one of the most brutal yet melodic songs I know of. When it comes to pig squeals and nasty vocals, mixed with heavy chugging and rhythmic blast beats this is the song. The only lyrics I can make out in this whole mess of a song are "Initiate the depopulation programme", and "population control". And that's all I need to know that this song is brutal on all fronts.
I like how the vocalist switches from screeching to rapping to screaming the lyrics. (That shit is insanely hard to do.) Every little shriek is accompanied by a chug of the guitar or the twang of a bass and it just makes everything hit 300% harder. There's also some parts where the vocals are layered for some extra emphasis on the lyrics. I also love the fade out with the minimalistic bass solo. Even when the song is winding down it's still chugging.
The production on this track is beautiful. All of the instruments sound very distinct from one another. The drums hit harder than your alcoholic stepdad. During the outro, you can hear every time the strings of the bass hit the fret. The vocals aren't very loud but they're never muddied or drowned out. And goddamnit that guitar tone is of the gods.
I've never really talked about how much of a sucker I am for good production but I honestly love a good producer. And these boys happen to share a producer with slam gods Ingested. You can't beat that in this genre.
I've never really talked about how much of a sucker I am for good production but I honestly love a good producer. And these boys happen to share a producer with slam gods Ingested. You can't beat that in this genre.
We'll definitely be getting to them someday...
someday...
I think these bros are cool. I'm really just getting into slam. I'm kinda getting a little tried of the formulaicness of deathcore and I ain't braindead enough for grindcore. Slam is somewhere in between those two points so that's exactly where my music tastes are headed. When I get into a new genre I tend to stick with one or two bands and ride it out until I find some more bands that I like. I've checked off Within Destruction, and Shrine of Malice as some of my favorites. I'm a pretty big fan of politics so I guess Acrania can be my next favorite. They sound insanely brutal yet well produced which is something I've been looking for, for a hot minute. Alright I'll see you next week when we tackle -
Gotcha (the three of you who are five-years-old)!
Next band is Adrenaline Mob!
Mad respect to everyone in the band. From Russell Allen to Mike Orlando to the late David Z and Jordan Connatta (who did damn good jobs of living beyond the shadows of John Moyer and Mike fucking Portnoy) this band is filled to the brim with talent. Honestly just listening to how good they are makes me want to throw all of my instruments away. I've always said that Russell Allen sounds like Dio (who y'all know I also have insane respect for). Something about this song makes me think he might be aware of that -
Adrenaline Mob - The Mob Rules
© Rhino Entertainment
Alright, so you've heard "The Mob Rules" before right? Well, now you have. This is a damn near spot-on cover. Without context, you could've told me this was 2009 era Sabbath and I probably would've believed you. (You'd probably have to say Tony and Vinny were on coke that day.)
This time I'm not going to go into much detail. We're going to come across this song a dozen other times (When I review Sabbath, Dio, and a few other random compilations) and I'd prefer not to give my thoughts on it right here. Not just yet.
Final Verdict / What Do I Think?
Adrenaline Mob are capital B bosses. There's absolutely no question about that. But am I going to listen to more of their stuff?
Very likely not.
The few songs I listened to (that weren't covers) just sounded like really well-produced radio rock. I'm kind of let down given how much talent went into them.
That said, I'll still be listening to Star One and Symphony X. I'm working through Mike Orlando's solo work. And Dream Theater and Disturbed are on my top ten list. So in a way, I'm kind of listening to them. Also, these motherfuckers can cover a song like nothing I've ever heard. If you haven't heard their cover of Come Undone, you've got to. If anything Adrenaline Mob are the Cover Kings.
Next week we dive deep into the pitless gutturals of Aegaeon!
Acrania Picture © 2014 Unique Leader Records
Adrenaline Mob Picture © 2017 Century Media Records
Aegaeon Picture © 2012 Aegaeon
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