Band: Every Time I Die
Release: Ex Lives
Release Date: 05/03/2012
It’s been three years since Every Time I Die released their last album, the absolutely stunning ’New Junk Aesthetic’. Those three years have been hard on vocalist Keith Buckley, in a dark place and away from his family, on tour with his side project The Damned Things; he has poured his entire emotional spectrum into the new record. A ride that punches you straight in the stomach from the first scream, this album is back to some of the heavy and groovy tunes that the band have come to be known for.
Even though the album was infused with dark ideas and a bleak theme, the tunes are anything but, the guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley both add some much needed groove and riffs into what could have been a much slower and darker record. The new drummer, Ryan Leger, also adds a much needed intensity in the drums that had been missing in the past records. Those hoping for the band to carry on with their more hook based approach to the song ‘Wanderlust’ may as well turn around now, although cleaner vocals are still evidently there, such as in the song, ‘I Suck (Blood)’, the album is in actual fact a lot heavier and faster than past approaches.
The album in actual fact catches you off guard with their opening song ‘Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space’, with smack to the face and mouth watering guitar work, but this doesn’t set the tone for the rest of the album, in fact none of the 14 tracks do, each has their own unique feel about them, be it a difference in tempo, or even the introduction of a banjo, as in one of the standout tracks of the album, ‘Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow’.
‘Holy Book of Dilemma’ and ‘A Wild, Shameless Plan’, are showcases of the more metal orientation that the album can get to, while they keep the Every Time I Die brutality that we’ve come to know and love. The new drummer Leger in fact absolutely slays it on the drums creating some massive beats and great rhythm. In comparison ‘Revival Mode’ is a slower and a lot more down beat song, with cleaner and slower vocals, mixed with a heavier ending.
‘Drag King’ is a perfect example of how much versatility Keith Buckley actually has with his vocals, transitioning seamlessly from heavy a powerful, hardcore, growls into great clean vocals. Clean vocals have made appearances in Every Time I Die songs in the past, but not as powerful or bold as they are here.
Over the years Every Time I Die haven’t received the praise they deserve, as one of the most versatile and unique metalcore band on the market, and Ex Lives is a testament to this, receiving both critical and popular praise the album could be a gateway to greater things for the Buffalo greats.
Reviewer: Callum Thomson
