Unimpressive album from A Perfect Murder
'War on Aggression' is yet another metal offering from Victory Records, who seem to be putting out anything at the moment as long as tight jeans and slanty haircuts are involved. Rather than quality, they do seem to be going for the quantity, seeing as a whole legion of young teens seem to be eating up this vacuous, samey noise at exponential rates. The only problem, to paint some pretty wide brushstrokes, is that it all sounds so indistinguishable and sadly, A Perfect Murder are no exception.
Musically, it is hard to pick out any particular highpoints within 'War on Aggression' as there is such a woeful lack of creativity on display. There is never one of those 'wow' moments to grab you suddenly on here, nor anything that screams that they are a band worth a second listen. There is just a nasty feeling of disappointment that lingers as you listen, with the only bonus of that the album being relatively and mercifully short in length.
Kicking off with title track 'War on Aggression' even the ramped up guitars sound ploddy and a little done to death, so much in fact, I'm sure I've heard the same intro on at least three other albums this year. The lyrics are a little old hat too, with the refrain of: "I don't hate my life, I just hate you" on 'Sadist'. There is just nothing to sink your teeth in here.
The only notable thing on this album is the fact that the final track is named after early nineties WWF wrestling tag team super group 'Legion of Doom'. Actually, it might not be, but the track shares a name with them anyway and that is a nice bit of nostalgia for anyone who remembers the days of Brett 'the Hitman' Hart, Rowdy Roddy Piper, The Bushwhackers and when it was WWF not WWE – the glory days if you will.
A few years ago, A Perfect Murder would have sounded new, fresh and exciting, but now this sound is so tired and watered down, you don't want to hear or find out more about bands like this. 'War on Aggression' is just not good enough to cut the proverbial mustard at the moment, with its unashamed lack of effort and the inherent recycled nature of the sound. This may sell bucket loads but with no creative drive or spark, it probably doesn't deserve to.