Rough Edge: Every Time I Die CD Reviews

EVERY TIME I DIE

"From Parts Unknown" (Epitaph; 2014)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

This is the seventh disc from hardcore screamers Every Time I Die. I'm not a fan of the screaming but the music is really cool. It sounds like Sam Kinison on vocals backed by a power hungry bunch. Every now and then Keith Buckley will sing. He's got a good voice but I know that hardcore doesn't lean towards singing but it's good to know that he's got range.

The music is hardcore. Yeah, I know, a real stretch on words there but what am I supposed to say? The guitar is ever present and crunchy on the heaviest parts, the bass thumps right along with it and the drums are tribal when all three combine. There is some piano on a couple of tracks and I think it adds depth to their sound. Overall it's got great power and fans of hardcore should check these guys out.

Every Time I Die: Keith Buckley - vocals; Jordan Buckley - guitar; Andrew Williams - guitar; Ryan "Legs" Leger - drums; Stephen Michhiche - bass.

For more information - http://everytimeidie.net.

"New Junk Aesthetic" (Epitaph; 2009)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

This is Every Time I Die's fifth album and the first on their new label Epitaph. These guys sound more intense than they did on their previous disc "The Big Dirty." The vocals are right up in your grill (as usual) and the southern metal guitar is frickin' nasty!!

Metalcore is still the main ingredient and the screamo element is mixed with clean vocals on a few songs. "Wunderlust" has a fair mix of the sing/scream combo; it's also one of the songs that might find its way onto radio because of the controlled chaos. "Host Disorder" is another track with both clean and unclean vocals.

Every Time I Die sounds updated on "New Junk Aesthetic" because they add some new sounds on this disc. The chunky guitars still grind along and the drums pound to match each syllable of Keith Buckley but their music has a wider approach. Most of the songs are under three minutes because that's about all of a beating you can take.

This disc also has some guest vocalists: Greg Puciato of the Dillinger Escape Plan, Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and Matt Caughthran of The Bronx. There were also two bonus tracks on the Deluxe edition.

Every Time I Die: Keith Buckley – vocals; Jordan Buckley – guitar; Andy Williams – guitar; Josh Newton – bass; Ryan Leger – drums, percussion.

For more information, check out http://www.everytimeidie.net.

"The Big Dirty" (Ferret; 2007)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

I'm not only a writer for Rough Edge; I'm also a fan of music so when the other guys tell you about new music we all learn from each other. Thanks to Mike SOS who alerts me to bands that kick it up in his neck of the woods. I picked up "The Big Dirty" because I wanted to see what these guys had done since "Hot Damn." Well, apparently they have stepped up again to prove they own the stage and if you get too close prepare for a boot up side your head.

I love the Southern metal guitar sound and smart alec lyrics of Keith Buckley. He was a former English teacher so he will wax ecstatically but scream in your face to get his point across. He is also a graduate of Melissa Cross who is a vocal teacher from New York (her DVD, "The Zen of Screaming," helps vocalists project their voice with extreme technique).

There are some bands that I can't take because they scream too much. Keith Buckley and company sing, scream and just play straight forward metalcore with a take-no-prisoners attitude. One of my favorite lines from their song "Pigs Is Pigs" is "You know I'm no good at court ordered goodbyes." That is classic!

Each song is a slap across your face and it's so good you'll welcome it twelve times. Fans of hardcore punk will find a band that they can crank up to get the full effect. Thanks, Mike!

Every Time I Die: Keith Buckley: vocals; Jordan Buckley: guitar, bass; Andy Williams: guitar, bass; Mike 'Ratboy' Novak: drums; Dallas Green: Guest vocals on "INRihab".

For more information, check out http://www.everytimeidie.com.

"Hot Damn" (Ferret; 2003)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Western New York's Every Time I Die stands out over the usual hardcore screamo outfits. The quintet's vocals are unique for starters, as they maintain a sense of ordered chaos and demand immediate attention. Keith Buckley's manic vocal delivery teeters between that of someone suffering from Tourette Syndrome and the screams of a tortured soul. The song topics are lascivious and out of character for bands that play this heavy as well. What other hardcore band has a picture of a lesbian kiss on its album cover, and features song titles such as "Romeo A Go-Go" and "Pornogratherapy"?

And, seriously folks, what other hardcore band uses a cowbell? And it's definitely the best use of the cowbell since Motley Crue's "Livewire," by the way)

Pushing boundaries musically, tastefully, and within its own genre, the ten tracks that comprise "Hot Damn" take the hardcore tough guy mentality and add a bit of depth, making Every Time I Die conceptual geniuses and heroes to thoughtful hardcore fans everywhere.

For more information, check out http://www.everytimeidie.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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