Label: The End Rating: 3 Guns
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Written By: Dave Brooks
You might think that a place named "Suicide City" wouldn't be the first choice when you are looking to have a good time, but you might change your mind after spinning their latest and first full major release, "Frenzy."
Suicide City come bursting out on "Frenzy!" (I added the exclamation point) with the super-hype, "Cutter." Fast, frenetic, sometimes furious. You get introduced to vocalist Karl Bernholtzs' addicting delivery right away. This track really sets the bar high for the rest of the album. "Sex & Dying" is too far of a come down. (What are you doing? I'm still excited!) "The Best Way" saves us with it's great transitions, swingy feel and kick ass backup vocals.
I'm not going through the roof anymore when "Painted Horse" takes it easy for a few minutes, but Dan Lamagna's drums really carry this songs' feel, elevating it to another level entirely. This band is easily able to change moods on you at a moments notice. The proof is in the pudding as "Chemical Fight" brings us back to our happy place. Jennifer Arroyo, of Kittie notoriety, shows what girl metal is missing, while the heavies out there (i.e. Me) get theirs with a taste of some well placed double bass.
Say that 3 times fast.
I wasn't aware that "Burn" was a Cure cover until after a few listens. Without comparing it to the original, I liked it for it's own merit. The chorus will definitely get stuck in your head. "Undone" and "Spanish Fly" are perfect for the mood the album is in now. You are in the peaceful, eye of the storm until "She Waits" emerges. I would think they were using the clean passages to kill time in between trying to rip your face off, but they messed up by making the entire song good. This is the track you are dying to skip ahead to. Stay for "She Waits In A European Nightclub." It sounded more like "She Waits In a European Video Game" to me, but what do I know? "Start the Show", "Not My Year" and "Lost Years" (+ bonus track....shh!, don't tell anyone) round out the disc.
There are great performances all over this album. Billy Graziadei and AJ Marchetta's guitars are both epic and understated at the same time. Their diversity is what sets this group apart from the rest. Arroyo and Lamagna hold down the rhythm section and then some. Adding Karl Bernholtz's vocals to this mix is the icing on the cake. I highly suggest picking up "Frenzy." It will make you wonder "When are they going to be in town?"
Side notes:
Does Karl Bernholtz kind of sound like 36 Crazyfists singer Brock Lindow?
Do the first 10 seconds of "Undone" sound like the hook from Britney Spears "Toxic", but slowed down?
Like Suicide City? Check out: 36 Crazyfists, Poison the Well, Glassjaw.
