Every
Time I Die (ETID) are a New York quartet who specialise in a unique
brand of high-octane metalcore. Instead of relying on generic darkside
influences and basing their music purely on hardcore and deathmetal
instrumentation, ETID infuse elements of dirty southern rock which
adds a distinctive and nasty tasting touch to their output. One
thing that metal fans don’t like is monumental shifts in musical
direction. ‘The Big Dirty’, the fourth full length by
ETID, and will satisfy current fans as it continues their musical
progression from a slightly raw band brimming with ideas to a slick
and sharp metal machine who can shift melodies and switch rhythms
effortlessly. Production duties are undertaken by Steve Evett’s
(Dillinger Escape Plan) who masterfully maintains ETID’s gritty
and menacing garage-rock dynamics yet wraps it up in a bouncy and
crystal clear package which keeps the foundations of what ETID are
originally about, fully intact.
What ETID do so effectively is that they play around with tempo
in order to generate energy and to create a vision of epic-ness.
The band tend to play at break neck speed and continue pushing the
boundaries of their personally forged, ferocious, groove based p(f)unk
rock metal.
Tracks like “Rebel Without Applause” and “We’rewolf”
are kept fresh by suddenly breaking into semi-clean (but not in
a whiney emo way) singing underpinned by angular and druken melodies
which shift seamlessly into crunchy satisfying breakdowns which
are complimented by heartfelt and rasping poetic one-liners. ETID
were always adept at crafting witty, and at times stirring lyrics.
This is another area that has progressed, and not just in content
matter, but in the versatility of Keith Buckley’s lyrics.
It is clear that ETID write songs around their lyrics rather than
visa-versa.
Track 7 “Rendez Voodoo” showcases a confident ETID that
has matured its song-writing and its vocal abilities. A chugging,
bouncy and oscillating groove is complimented by lightning guitars,
skittering drums and clean(ish) vocals which are harmonised at certain
moments. The track meanders through a series of randomly timed groove
based melodies and chugging breakdowns which makes this track an
instant stand out, and probably a new fans initial favourite. The
Closer, “Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Battery”
is another exercise showcasing ETID’s rousing high-octane
battle-core which is joined by a catchy vocal melody in the chorus.
Although many “true metal” fans tend to be put off by
clean vocals and catchy grooves, ETID carry it off in such a way
as to compliment and vary their highly authentic sound rather than
“sell out”, although one can imagine that they will
gain more fans by utilising this song writing formula.
This 12 track 35minute album is one of ETID’s most (relatively)
varied offerings. It is also probably their most brutal due to their
improved ability in timing and crafting breakdowns which energises
and brutalises proceedings. This album will seem like a blur after
one listen but repeated listens will bring out the its full glory.
Tracks from “The Big Dirty” are sure to bring a memorable
experience to anybody who is lucky enough to see it played live.
It feels like it has been written with the crowd (and the pit) in
mind, and for those who purchase now, a limited edition DVD will
showcase the effectiveness of their live rabble-rousing performances.
For
fans of: Imagine Hopesfall or Glassjaw have been steadily raised
on a strict diet of Scissorfight and Nora albums.
Click
here to buy The
Big Dirty: +DVD
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