Xecutioner’s Return, like the last couple of Gorefest and Grave records, is a no-frills old school trip with only one goal in mind: Stick to the basics.
Several Arrows Later hinted they were wishing they were more rockin’, here they sound like they’re trying too hard, and at the expense of the melodies.
Pretty much La Muerte Part Two, meaning that it’s classic Gorefest: Simple but punishing riffs, varying tempos, political lyrics, and bad-ass breakdowns.
Botch almost single-handedly carved a new path for metalcore. Instead of testosterone-fueled rage, they had genuine passion and a great sense of humor.
They’re a little cheesy and overly glossy, with more cutesy Gwen cupiedollness than Bif Naked strut, but it beats rebel yell Avrilisms or another Pink song.
They get your fingers snapping, can stir ska and funk into the soup without tickling your gag reflex, and they can play your wedding or your backyard kegger.
After venturing into folktronica territory with The Tourniquet, Magnet (Norwegian producer/songwriter Even Johanssen) has returned to a rootsier, organic sound.