Tag: Metal

My New Infatuation

I started noticing Fit for a King around the time I knew I was going to quit the old band. They had just put out Slave to Nothing and the scene was buzzing with how intensely assaulting it sounded yet sprinkled in Christian struggles, or failure, with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Songs like “A Greater Sense of Self” connected with internal strife yet awakes the primal side that makes you bounce, scream the words, and lose your shit. I got lost into its world. It’s the kind of stuff you tattoo on your arm. Waiting for their next record has been a daily ritual of checking their Facebook for updates and studio clips. The waiting has finally ended with Deathgrip, due October 7th.

“Pissed Off” and their album takes on terrorism, genocide, general death. Fit for a King were in Germany last year when ISIS attacked, which was just one of many recently. This first single has the kind of slinky grooves and breakdowns that satisfies the wait for new FFAK. Nick Sampson produced the record and carved out nice spacing for all the instruments, especially the bass. It’s clearly heard in metallic up-tempo rhythms and chuggasaurus verses and choruses. The final breakdown is reminiscent of “Warpath” from Creation/Destruction with its long hoovering guttural growl and slow show no mercy chugs. Most of the album promises to sound like that record.

Deathgrip, with all its hype, feels like it could be the best Fit for a King record yet, maybe ever. Everything you could want aesthetically and musically is there. Great fucking album cover I want on my body. The videos look amazing for their teasers. I can’t wait for their music videos, which I never thought I would say about any band in 2016. The themes of death and real life terrorism really intrigue me and broadens the audience for this band. The Christian edge or label on them is completely irrelevant. FFAK offers music with substance, and internal and external struggle. There is value in the lyrics and feel of the music, but you can easily just throw down to the heavy parts at a show. I can’t wait to see them live in October.

Stranded by The Dormant Volcano

It’s been almost 4 years since L’Enfant Sauvage came out. Much has changed for me, but not for Gojira, a band with their own unique identity who still speed forward in an ocean of metal bands. It shares the sea with the rest of music where everyone sounds the same and no one dares ostracization. 2016 feels like a continuation of an unsatisfying era saturated in sameness. A time where “they” don’t make good music anymore. It’s easy to fall into this camp. I walk back and forth between the two. One will find Gojira in the optimistic camp that says great, not just good, music can be found if you look hard enough. One said says the ocean seems infinite, while the other says dive below to surface and search. In 2016, great music is rarely accessible. You must scourer Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and know the right people online to find new something before it’s corrupted.

So far Gojira hasn’t been compromised. Maybe I sound pessimistic but I’m prepared to be disappointed again, and again. I assume eventually a band will get lazy, attempt to become more accessible, or commit the worst artistic crime. Selling-out. These are my fears and the fears of many. I can celebrate an artist’s success under the right circumstances. Maybe I should just grow up and get over my standards. Success is tough to achieve, no matter what. I had a shot at doing music full time once so I’ve seen how the business works. Most “artists” these days are motivated by fortune and fame. Our American society conditions us to do so. I don’t blame some of my former peers for chasing that dream. I get it. To earn a high level of success it takes more than just luck. It’s no accident Gojira has continued enjoying their fruits of labor. They have kept my interest and delighted the artistic world with their new single.

“Stranded” sounds repetitive, something new from the band, but realizes its purpose in making you remember it. The gatling chug riff combined with the basic but certain drum beat can’t be denied. Like “Enter Sandman” and “Blood and Thunder” you put down the sandwich, stop whatever else you’re doing, and bang your head. The lyrics are quite mysterious. They deviate from what I’m used to with no mention of whales or the dying ecosystem. It seems personal in nature yet it reveals very little. “Don’t lock the door on me” is the line that stays with me. I can gather the same sentiment. As a whole this single packs the right punch for me and for the band’s endeavors. I look forward to seeing how similar or contrasting it sounds from the rest of the album. This initial tease should hold up until Magma drops on June 17th.