CARCER CITY - review added 10th November 2009
Album Review: The Life We Have Chosen (2009)
For fans of: Deathcore... and Liverpool
Carcer City describe their sound (on their Facebook page at least) as Scouse metal. Fortunately this is merely a geographical reference. I'm not sure what a detuned, ultra heavy and loud version of Gerry & The Pacemakers would sound like. 'Not Good' springs to mind...
The band - Patrick on vocals, Lewis and Owen on guitar, Steve on bass and Joss on drums - are all still at the younger end of their lives but make a mature sound that belies their age. There are hints of Pantera, Job For A Cowboy, Lamb Of God and more in the music. Be in no doubt; this is bloody heavy stuff. But there's a solid tuneful edge to the tracks, even if you do sometimes have to look for it.
There are only a few stand-out moments, The album is more of an overall experience than a collection of individual hits, not that there's anything wrong with such an approach. I would have like to have seen the guys focus on integrating a few more hooks into the sound though. You only need to look at an album like the phenomenal Carved From Empty Words by Stampin' Ground to know what's possible.
The Life We Have Chosen is at it's best played deafeningly loud from start to finish without pause and, er, preferably without mercy. It isn't perfect, but it's a lot better than it has any right to be. If you like music that makes your head bleed, give Carcer City a try. They'll put you in the ear clinic in two seconds flat, but you'll have a f*cking big smile on your face!
Check out... The power of it all.
Track List:
1. The Escapist
2. Staring Into The Sun
3. The Life We Have Chosen (Part 1)
4. The Life We Have Chosen (Part 2)
5. The Walls That Divide
6. Closed Eyes
7. Signals
8. Patience Won't Heal The Broken
9. In Silence
10. A Prisoner To The Years
Label: Transcend Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace
