Album Review : Death In The Family by Living Weapon
Earlier this year, Colin Young (Twitching Tongues, Gods Hate, so many others) hinted at a metalcore record that would become an era-defining instant classic. This is that record.
To be part of an era defining, legendary band is a blessing and a curse, especially if that band isn't truly over. Vein.Fm's name still echoes around today's music scene long into their hiatus, with rumours of a comeback or live shows seemingly a regular occurrence. Meanwhile, members of the band seek to carve their own path, but the stones they walk on all come with the same "Ex-members of Vein.fm" caveat more so than most other bands. The trick is to not let it weigh you down, but to stand tall and wear it as a badge of honour while letting your own work speak for itself. The sound they made, the chaos they created, the legacy they left has yet to be matched in the modern day. Fleshwater took things in an entirely different, grunge soaked direction and has it's audience. Then there is Living Weapon. Bursting into life with a frantic debut EP in the back end of COVID, the project of Jonathan Lhaubouet, who played bass and contributed the fantastic backing vocals in Vein.Fm have dropped their debut full length. The EP was fun, a full throttle, violent slab of mathy madness that lent from the aforementioned previous project more than others. Yet, it felt more confrontational, more of a bludgeoning blow than Vein.Fm's death by a thousand cuts madness.
First single from the album, titled “Death In The family” The Leaving Process was a flag in the ground moment. A skin shredding blend of classic bands like Turmoil and more modern acts like Knife In The Dark and .giffromgod, it spoke of a desire to create something that mixed unbridled aggression with a skittering, unsettling underneath. Music to make you feel like you're being watched while simultaneously having you feel like you could flip a police car.
Roaring to life with The First Element in a vortex of razorblade panic chords, schizophrenic whispering and a masterclass in creating an atmosphere that sounds like the voices inside Pyramid Heads brain as he lurches after his victims, the stage is set. What follows is a stunning collection of metallic hardcore that while it indeed owes a debt to Vein.FM, steps fully out of that shadow and will inevitably cast its own over the scene at large.
Squalls of distortion are littered throughout, sharp and unsettling enough to cause you to dig your fingernails into your own already clenched fists. Dead Like You is an oppressive, uncomfortable hit that's perhaps the closest sonic equivalent to drowning in TV static. Mixed by the Taylor Young (Nails, Disgrace) at The Pit, it's a large part of what makes this album so great. Simply put, it's insidious, creeping, dark metalcore (With more than a few moments of death metal brutality creeping in), the type that 99 percent of bands can only dream of making. It's an uncomfortable yet addictive blend of the "open carry a switchblade" aggravation of Jesus Piece, the demented skittering spider electronics of Vein.Fm and Converge's ability to harness the essence of chaos
Parthenogensis is an instrumental track begins by sounding like a 16-bit video game soundtrack coming out of broken speakers in the dead of night, slowly morphing into a whirling score of panic It doesn't dull the momentum either, only adding to the dread ambience being instilled. The following mauling of Interspecies Quality Assessment hits harder as a result, resulting in perhaps the albums highlight as the entire track feels like being beaten to death with rusty chains. The record ends with When No Light Compared, finishing with a flourish and leaving a lasting impression on the listener, a whiplash that you're somehow desperate to experience again.
In a crowded field, Living Weapon stand out by sheer ferocity and an unpredictability akin to a coiled snake. This is a dangerous record that pushes them to the forefront of the pack almost immediately and don't be surprised if in a years time, bands will be trying in vain to do this. Close enough, welcome back “Errorzone”.
FFO : Vein.Fm, Converge, walking through a dark alley with your keys between your fingers
SCORE: 9/10
Death In The Family is out on all streaming platforms on Friday 14th August, released via Closed Casket Activities.
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