GROAN. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help that one – it was just too easy!
So yeah, it’s been four years since we’ve heard from Nashville noise-merchants Today Is The Day with their last effort Axis of Eden, but they’re back with a vengeance with their new album Pain Is A Warning - and you can hear the track “Death Curse” over at Metalsucks reet now.
The album, which was produced by the musical super-being that is Kurt Ballou is out today via Black Market Activities/Good Fight Music. Thoughts?
- CG
Today is the Day01. Expectations Exceed Reality
02. Death Curse
03. Pain Is A Warning
04. Wheelin’
05. The Devil’s Blood
06. Remember to Forget
07. Slave to Serenity
08. This Is You
09. Samurai
It’s been over 11 years since I last heard a Today is the Day album. It was their 1999 release, In The Eyes of God, which I enjoyed quite a bit, so I’m not to sure why I never gave any of their following albums a listen. Of course I heard a few songs here and there, but that was about it. So when news of new album was announced and I had the opportunity to check it out, I jumped all over it. Honestly, I could just kick myself for not keeping up with this band, as their newest album, Pain is a Warning, is a culmination of everything I enjoy about Today is the Day, offering up a slew of genres that when mixed together, are presented in a way that is sure to please a wide range of metal fans.
Owen Hart01. I, Nameless
02. 44 Black
03. Poor White Straight Guy
04. Welcome To Worthless-Piece-Of-Shit-Ville, Population: You
05. I Hate Myself And I Want To Die
06. Bomb Bay Beach
07. The Letter
08. Fuck Morrisey, Fuck The Smiths, Fuck The Cure
09. Methlaham
10. The Vertigo Of Murry Morgan
11. Evolutions A Fact, Jack
We’re already a month into the new year and by now word has spread of all the gnarly releases that are forthcoming in the next few months, mainly March, which has now been dubbed Prog-Metal March. So it’s easy to see where everyone’s attention is directed, and how other releases might fly under the radar. Luckily a friend of mine and fellow band mate enlightened me to a band he felt I would enjoy. Upon hearing the name, I instantly thought of something (or someone) else, but with further investigation, I soon discovered a band that meshed styles of blackened thrash & death, hardcore, noise and the speed of thrash…
Pristina01. Moonshiner
02. Because I Can Kill You
03. Salt Water Cthulhu
04. Temple of the Morning Star
05. The Drought (Ov Salt and Sorrow)
Despite what the title and cover of Pristina’s The Drought (Ov Salt and Sorrow) leads you to believe, Pristina are not a black metal band (shock and awe abound). Rather, the Connecticut based band are actually firmly rooted in grindcore, adding touches of sludge and doom for a very grim (and thoroughly pissed off) mentality. Pristina has been around for a few years, only recently getting around to releasing their full length debut record, The Drought, produced by Today is the Day’s Steve Austin.
Unlike most grindcore or powerviolence bands (I’m told there’s a distinction between the two, although I don’t really see it), Pristina passed over the short album/epic length tracklist trope in favor for a 5 track run at 45 minutes in length, with the album’s title track clocking in at almost 23 minutes, which is practically unheard of in the genre. This lends a slightly progressive feeling to the album, which is welcomed.
Musically, just about everything on The Drought is just right. The guitar work carries a dynamic that ranges from atmospheric and ominous with a sense of impending doom to pissed off and at full force with riffs big enough to be taken out of Scott Hull’s personal tab book. The bass provides a solid chunky foundation and sits well in the mix alongside guitar. The drumming is spot on and absolutely pummeling, with fills thrown about left and right with disregard for the safety of children and small animals.
