This is a very grungy, dirty-sounding introduction to the latest Birdeatsbaby full-length offering. Apparently, one of the band’s main sources of inspiration is horror movies, such as The Hills Have Eyes and this shines through in the grand guignol of the music.
This is, therefore, not an album for the fainthearted – it takes a strong stomach to hit the play button and an even stronger one to keep it depressed, due to all the horrors, turmoil and psychodramas that play out herein. What keeps one listening is the sheer tunefulness of it.
These are songs that have obviously been brewed up over a long period of time. Every vocal swoop is perfectly placed; every riff has been tweaked and then tweaked again until it is absolutely note-perfect. This means each song has its own distinct identity.
Far from making this sound like an arrogant record though, the air here is one of black comedy. These guys obviously know just how prone to pomposity their chosen genre is and neatly sidestep this trap by adding a warped humour to their lyrics and delivery.
Undercutting the humour also, along with the confidence, are lots of nice big fat riffs, which work up a slow, steady wave of sound that carry both the song and the disc as a whole to a steady conclusion, leaving you wanting more. Bodes very well for the album.