From the Gutter To The Stars
After a year of touring off the back of 2003's 'Hot Damn!', Every Time I Die come back with more of a sting in their tails. Enlisting the talents of produce Machine whose credits include tour mates Clutch and Lamb Of God
Opening with chaotic 'Apocalypse Now And Then' featuring the signature jazzy groove. Still having the off-kilter edge from their previous records, Every Time I Die embraces a more rock n roll groove from bands like Guns N Roses giving the lyrics more of an edge. One of the standout tracks 'Kill The Music' features the vocal talents of My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way. Way's sneering vocals are perfectly suited to this manic maelstrom of a song. It's clear that Every Time I Die have evolved their sound to further extreme heights. 'Bored Stiff' especially has the jazzy time changes of Dillinger Escape Plan and is a shitkicker of song. The guitars still chug away and are cutting like barbwire throughout the record. 'Easy Tiger' and 'Tusk And Temper' highlight singer Keith Buckley's banshee like vocals. ' The New Black' kicks off with a beer being cracked open setting the mood for this beer-swilling, barroom brawling romp.
Another one of the songs with a guest spot, 'Champing At The Bit' features the vocals of Daryl Palumbo from New York's own Glassjaw. Palumbo's melodic vocals complement Buckley's vocals well, as four part harmonies are featured against a manic backdrop of hardcore craziness.
The throwaway lyrical genius of Keith Buckley shines through making 'Gutter Phenomenon' a spazzy but effortlessly cool record. With manic tempos and pounding breakdowns this is one of the year's best metalcore releases.