EARTH CRISIS

I'm sure you are recalling the nightmares that were Slither and Last Of The Sane. I implore you to try to scratch those travesties from your brain, for it seems that the band has done the same. Gone are the nu-metal overtones, clean vocals, and those silly pleather jackets. It seems that Earth Crisis took the criticism to heart from those last two outings and ditched all the negative aspects of what their music became. They even went as far to not return to the now terrible label they were apart of.

While the band has returned to form with this newest release it's hard to strictly compare it to a single album from their back catalog. Long before the album was finished recording one of the band members made the statement that it sounded like "Breed The Killers meets Destroy The Machines". A statement like that would make you think it would sound very similar to Gomorrah's Season Ends. Well if you go in expecting that you'll be in for a surprise.

I was given the album only a few days ago and I've been able to get through the entire disc atleast 20 times since. Each time the disc cycled through the tracks I found myself picking up more and more influences from the earlier records. Scattered throughout I caught elements that reminded me of all the earlier albums. It's not much secret that as Earth Crisis moved along their career they started to incorporate more metal into their arsenal, but the earlier recordings still had hardcore as the backbone. The hardcore elements of old definitely still creep out throughout the record as if to make sure the signature sound remains in tack. Elements of the newer albums sneak in from time to time as well but more to add some accentuating melodies atop the firestorm (pun intended) that is the rest of the music.

Added to the mix is a new sound that has never been heard on an Earth Crisis record. I liken it to some of more groove parts that Hatebreed has incorporated into their material. It's nice to see the band try something new and not obliterate the wheel in doing so. They tried that with Slither and failed miserably.

The production on this record is the best they've ever had. The guitars have a lot of beef to them. It's a crunch that is new to them. The bass has a nice click to it and stands out just enough to really add some support to the guitars. And Dennis Merrick is still flawless behind the kit. I believe he is the perfect drummer for this band and he sounds better everytime they record. Even Karl has returned to form here. I was a little worried going in because I thought he lacked some power in the newer Path Of Resistence record, but he wiped all doubt away on this album.

Oh, and how can I forget about the message. An Earth Crisis record wouldn't be an Earth Crisis record without a purely pissed message about Veganism and Straightedge. You definitely still get your healthy dose of both in a way only Karl Buechner can dish it out. The title track to this album takes a cue from the title track of Gomorrah's Season Ends and becomes the Vegan anthem for the band stating "VEGAN-FOR LIFE" in the final four bars. I'm sure you get the comparisons between the songs.

This album is so good that it makes me forget all about Slither. Normally when bands reunite after a few or even after a lot of years, a lot of fans do not want new material for fear that they'll ruin a good thing. Well if a band is going to do a comeback album this is the type of stuff they should shoot for. This album has me excited for Earth Crisis again. Now if only they'd play a show at the TLA with Indecision and All Out War again, my life would be complete.

Label:
Century Media

Official Site:
www.myspace.com/earthcrisis

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Posted By:
WREN