While I’ve shown my distaste for the Louisiana-based ‘spazzcore’ trolls in iwrestledabearonce, I’ve always had an open mind to them. There was a ton of hype surrounding their debut album It’s All Happening, and for some time they’ve piqued my interest. I mean, I love bands like Arsonists Get All The Girls and Genghis Tron, so why shouldn’t I enjoy iwrestledabearonce? For some reason, the album never really clicked with me. It was interesting at some points and grating in others, so I didn’t know what to do with myself.

So, obviously, I was interested when they made the bold claim that they would be jumping ship to black metal. I thought it was dubious at best, but I kept it on the back of my mind for the following days leading up to the premiere of their new song “Karate Nipples” over at Metalsucks. As expected, IWABO and Metalsucks just wanted to get everyone all wound up for no reason, which was a damn brilliant promotional strategy. In fact, within ten minutes of the track going live, Metalsucks briefly crashed. Apparently, nothing brings in traffic like unbridled elitist rage.

The song itself? Wouldn’t you know it, it wasn’t bad at all! In fact, I’d say “Karate Nipples” is the greatest thing they’ve done so far. Frontlady Krysta Cameron actually sings quite well instead of wailing obnoxiously, so it gets my vote of approval. You’ve got your technical and abrasive metalcore sound as per usual, but you’ve also got some weird funky disco section and a glitchy dubstep part in typical IWABO fashion—but for some reason this new song feels much more focused than anything else they’ve done. I’m actually very eager to hear what else these guys have got in store. I mean, if for some reason IWABO have always rubbed you raw and you get pissed off at the mere sight of them, “Karate Nipples” will do nothing to sway you. For those like me who were on the fence, it might just be worth a shot.

iwrestledabearonce’s sophomore album, Ruining It For Everybody, is due out July 26th on Century Media.

- JR