36 CRAZYFISTS


"The Tide and Its Takers" (Ferret; 2008)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

36 Crazyfists have been a mainstay in the metalcore genre for over a decade and with good reason, as this Alaskan outfit manages to perpetually release quality music that illuminates both their heavy and harmonic side .

The latest 11-track endeavor, "The Tide and Its Takers," is no exception, continuing this venerable squad's soaring melodic metal style with solid results. Armed with a versatile vocalist in Brock Lindow -- who can go from clean singing to jugular-grabbing screaming at the drop of a dime -- and led by the grossly underrated guitar assault of Steve Holt, songs like the ferocious opener "The All Night Lights" and the jagged "Clear The Coast" (with guest vocals by Twelve Tribes' Adam Jackson) set moshpits ablaze with bludgeoning force. Meanwhile the airtight low end bassline locking in with the flurry of fearless drums and perfectly aligned guitar fills and rhythms on "Northern November" display the group's superb chops as the haunting "The Back Harlow Road" and "When Distance is the Closest Reminder" render the wicked infectious hooks and crushing groove melding this unit specializes in.

Transcending metalcore limitations with clever compositions and expert musicianship (especially guitar-wise), 36 Crazyfists come through yet again with a powerful combination of grace and savagery fully intact and polished to a shine.

For more information, check out http://www.36crazyfists.com


"Bitterness the Star" (Roadrunner; 2002)

Reviewed by Snidermann

I really wanted to like 36 Crazyfists. Their music is intense and powerful, the really hard stuff we've come to expect from Roadrunner Records. The music I like. But I can't get past the vocal styling of Brock Lindow. Lindow, at times, sounds like he is grabbing his Adam's apple between thumb and forefinger and jiggling it while he sings. His voice shakes. It's a very annoying technique that - if used once or twice - might have actually been effective. Instead, it's a serious detriment to the music. I actually checked the CD itself and then my player to make sure the disc wasn't warped or something. The result was that I found myself anticipating the strange vocals instead of listening to the great music. The sad thing is that Brock can sing. When he's not doing that bizarre vibrating thing, he's quite good.

If Brock can drop the tremolo, I'll look forward to hearing more from this band. Until then, however, I'll steer clear of 36 Crazyfists.

36 Crazyfists: Brock Lidlow - vocals; Steve Holt - guitar and backing vocals; Mick Whitney - bass; T. - drums. 

For more information, check out http://www.36crazyfists.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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