Review: Modern Life is War - Fever Hunting

Modern Life is War

Fever Hunting

Deathwish Inc.

It’s good to see that some bands still have it.  In an era where the band reunion seem increasingly inevitable, all too many times it’s nothing more than a half-assed final grab at the brass ring, but it looks like Modern Life is War (MLIW for those too lazy to type four words) isn’t fucking around.  After about 5 years since they called it quits, this group of Midwestern ne’er-do-wells don’t miss a beat with Fever Hunting. In fact, this is some of the best music that MLIW has put out, period.  While I would still consider Witness their untouchable masterpiece, this record comes in a close second. 

I’m actually hard pressed to find a negative thing to say about this record....I guess there is an odd amount of repeating vocal lines, but that fades into the background and becomes a non-issue after a few listens.  Besides that it’s just MLIW being MLIW....the desperate sound that comes from coming from a region whose glory days are far behind them, a dissonant sound that is often imitated (La Dispute, Defeater, Touche Amore, I’m looking at all of you) but is never quite captured like it is by this band.  

All of the above AND probably the best, most concise song writing that this band has put forth so far.  “Health, Wealth & Peace”, “Media Cunt”, “Fever Hunting” are ragers that never fail to get stuck in my head immediately after listening.  Also, how good of a song name is “Media Cunt”? 

To summarize: Modern Life is War is back in a big way and is arguably better than ever.  Pretenders should take notice and see if they can’t learn a thing or two along the way.

Buy it here (Warning: Shipping to Canada is fucking ridiculous, so hopefully they come by on an upcoming tour....fingers crossed.)

Review: Victims - Killer

Victims

Killer

Deathwish Inc.

I don’t know how I stumbled across Victims, but the second I heard them I knew that I had found a new musical-best friend.  They were like Disfear’s slightly more palatable little brother that mixed driving death n’ roll riffs with the ability to write a killer chorus.  In other words, there wasn’t anything not to like.  

Although their whole discography is worth listening, Killer will always be my favourite.  I guess it’s kinda hard to say exactly why, but I think it’s a combination of the catchiness-factor and the fact that this was the first Victims album I ever heard.  There really is something inexpressible about those first songs from a previously-unknown band that leaves a lasting impression.  I remember stumbling across this band on my own (which for some reason always makes me like a band a little bit more....does that make me a douchy hipster?  A metal elitist? An idiot?) and I knew that I had found something special. 

Victims is unmistakably European in a very indescribable way.  I don’t know if it’s the riffs, the song structure, or the fact that Swedish d-beat/anthemic punk is unique for some odd reason, but after two songs I had them pegged as meatball-loving, eternal-winter-having Nordic gods, which I later confirmed using the interweb. 

My uncanning ability to peg a band’s geographic origin aside, the purpose of this review is two-fold: 1. To express my love of this record, 2. To give this criminally underrated band a little more exposure.   While they do get acclaim within the d-beat community (if that is even really a thing), but most metal heads I have known aren’t wise to this band, or only have a cursory knowledge of their existence or discography.  And that’s a fucking crime.  So go listen to Victims and revel in one of the best records of 2008....which I guess makes this album 5 years old....fuck.  Where does the time go?

Go buy it now!

Review: Code Orange Kids - Love is Love // Return to Dust

Code Orange Kids

Love is Love // Return to Dust

Deathwish Inc.

Tracklisting:

1.  Flowermouth (The Leech)

2.  Around My Neck // On My Head

3.  Sleep (I've Been Slipping)

4.  Liars // Trudge

5.  Colors (Into Nothing)

6.  Nothing (The Rat)

7.  Roots Are Certain (Sky Is Empty)

8.  Choices (Love Is Love)

9.  Calm // Breathe

10. Bloom (Return To Dust)

When I attended This is Hardcore 2012 I knew that Code Orange Kids were playing, but to be honest I wasn’t particularly looking forward to their set.  I was tangentially aware of the group, especially since their signing to Deathwish Inc. had been announced long before, but was put off by simple things like the band’s name, aesthetic, etc.  Are those stupid reasons to not check out a band?  Sure.  But what can I say; sometimes I’m lazy and try to wade through the sea of up-and-coming bands by less than perfect means.

So going into TIH I was expecting a quick and unremarkable early day set from these too-young-to-drink-in-America looking kids, but was blown away as soon as they hit the stage.  This group was tight, loud, chaotic, and brought an intensity to the show that sent me running for the merch table to pick up both of their 7”s and the cassette they had for sale.  In short, I was completely wrong about Code Orange Kids and has now kicking myself about missing out on these guys/gal for as long as I had.

The only question that remained was whether they could put together a full album that would match the quality of output their 7”s and live performance promised.  Unfortunately, a full length LP can often spell doom for hardcore bands, who are able to string together 5-10 minutes of intense music, but fall apart, get overly-artsy, sound boring, etc. when it comes to a lengthier release.

Luckily, Code Orange Kids don’t fall prey to the LP-curse.  Love is Love // Return to Dust completely delivers!  Songs like “Flowermouth (The Leech)”, “Nothing (The Rat)” and “Roots and Certain // Sky is Empty” stand out as punishingly heavy tracks, but still offer enough variety and dynamics to not seem monotonous or overly repetitive.  There is no shortage of memorable riffs, crushing bass lines, and sludgy breakdowns, and the group also delivers on several more atmospheric tracks (although these tend to drag a little in places, but not enough to detract from the album as a whole). 

So be smarter than me and get into Code Orange Kids as soon as possible.  Definitely check out their earlier output, but Love is Love // Return to Dust will deliver the destructive, doomy, down-tuned art-rock/hardcore that I know you are craving.

It’s not available to buy just yet, but when it is you can get it here.