Albums

Album Review: A Textbook Tragedy

[Album: Intimidator]
[Label: United By Fate Records]

Yes! A band that isn’t scared of a bit of feedback on their albums! Too many metal/hardcore bands have album production that is a little too clean and sterile for my liking, and it loses that “live” feel to a band which I feel is, though not wholly, important when listening to an energetic blend of metal/mathcore and hardcore. If you like the album and it sounds like they are playing without too much overall interference in their sound, then its pretty certain you will be able to hear the same thing at one of their shows.

‘Intimidator’, as an album title, sounds like the kind of comically aggressive name a power or death metal band from the 80s would have, along with other possible gems such as ‘Tormentor’, ‘The Oppressor’, or ‘Eradicator’. Despite this A Textbook Tragedy have little in common with them by expressing grooving, yet harsh-sounding, guitar elements, jazz-influenced drum fills and cantankerous vocals. Previously released on Distort overseas earlier in 2007, United by Fate Records have done the deal to bring their noise over to the UK. They are also scheduled to play some dates sometime in January next year.

The album seems to have recurring themes of zombies, vampires, revenge, and general horror. The first track ‘If You Want Blood’—a mixture of fast paced hardcore and galloping breakdowns—brazenly talks about vampires and/or zombies: “I nearly panicked as I saw that blood was dripping from their teeth“. Dual vocalists Kai Turman (guitar) and Chris Bahris excel in their screamo style without getting too irritating. Their vocals are at times are as visceral as Bob Meadows’ (A Life Once Lost) early work, though without the staying power, as at times they can sound overstretched.

Throughout the album the guitars are heavily amongst the lower-mid range, leaving enough room for bassist Bill Crook’s booming low-end, as can be heard on ‘Wwojcd’. Only midway through ‘Intimidator’ does the pace slow down with some melodic singing and straight-forward power-chord riffing. The majority of guitarwork consists of complicated upper neck picking combined with either a discordant low riff or chord sequence. Along the way there are a few heavy open-E grinding moments and you do get the full experience of listening to both guitars—they often play separate guitar lines.

‘Stay Out Of Riverdale’ [Simpsons quote anyone?] is a great mix of dissonant riffs and fast licks. It is much more on the technical side and has similarities to a lot of deathcore bands out there who use syncopated rythyms—it has some very brutal moments, though at the same time it has some vocals that somehow spoil the moment.

If you want a quick blast (the album lasts 37mins) of Canadian mathcore, then you should definitely check this out.

For Fans Of: Misery Signals, War From A Harlots Mouth, From A Second Story Window

Band Link:
A Textbook Tragedy

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