|
By JEFF MAKI
The heaviest band ever from Austrailia? Quite possibly. Hailing from Adelaide, Austrailia, I Killed the Prom Queen's Swedish hardcore metal is cutting edge, combining classic death metal riffs from the Swedes and hardcore breakdowns similar to Hatebreed.
Music for the Recently Deceased was produced by acclaimed Swedish metal stalwart Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, At the Gates, Soilwork, Dimmu Borgir) and recorded at the now legendary Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. Metal fans familiar with Nordstrom's work will immediately recognize the sound and perfect production of this album. Imagine, if you will, the late ‘90s Swedish metal crossed with breakdowns that would make Hatebreed jealous and clean vocals done in such a way that it puts metalcore bands to shame.
Lead vocalist Edward Butcher sounds most like Michael Stanne of Dark Tranqility or Anders Freiden of Colony-era In Flames. The guitars sound evil as fuck here: heavy and downtuned with outstanding death metal riffing. Songs such as the pounding opener “Sharks in Your Mouth,” the catchy clean vocals in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” and the death metal breakdowns of “Bet It All on Black” show this band is a new force in metal. But the real gem here is the memorable chugfest “Like Nails to a Casket,” with the lyrics “I'll be waiting with an open casket to bury you alive/Watch the angels drop like flies/From the dead heavens above.” Truly classic.
These Aussies have created one hell of an evil sound with Music for the Recently Deceased. With enough melody to make songs stand on there own, lyrics that are evil and clever and a perfect blend of hardcore and Swedish metal, this may be one of the best releases of 2006. The only reason this didn't score higher was the originality factor. Otherwise this is a must-own metal record. The band is set to tour the United States with It Dies Today and Aiden. Get your ass there. |
