Reviewed by: Nicholas Bramanti
Score: 9.5/10
Every Time I Die is a southern metalcore band out of Buffalo, NY. This is their 8th full length release, and they show no signs of stopping anytime soon. The band tours relentlessly and it shines through on their new album. Low Teens flows smoothly from front to back, full of nonstop energy, commotion and dirty southern grit. In my opinion, this is their best release yet, and I find myself wondering how they’ll ever top it (but I’ve also been saying that about each of their new albums since New Junk Aesthetic was released in 2009). This album encapsulates all there is to love about the band. Groovy southern riffs perfect for headbanging, loud crunchy breakdowns that make you want to jump in the pit and as always the beautiful poetic nature of frontman Keith Buckley.
To those familiar with the band, there is one major change to be found though, and that’s in the lyrical content. Where there was once sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek references, you’ll now find a brutal honestly unlike anything we’ve heard from the band before. Buckley credits this change to the personal scare he received when his wife and unborn daughter were hospitalized due to pregnancy complications. Around the same time he began a newfound sobriety; gone is the party rock image of ETID, and fans can now say hello to more personal insight and reflection.
The album kicks off with the grunge-like stomp of “Fear and Trembling”, and Buckley screams “heaven’s been raided…you are mine to sacrifice…kill to survive.” The world is dark and confusing, and nothing can prepare you for what lays ahead, “an anomaly, a glitch.” Low Teens then thunders through it’s full 43 minutes, hardly stopping for a breath before kicking into the next song. This album features a lot more clean vocals than the typical ETID album (Two Summers, It Remembers) and even has a feature from Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie. Where there last album, From Parts Unknown, was influenced heavily by hardcore, new influences range from stoner metal to math rock. If you’re new to Every Time I Die or just looking for something to motivate yourself through the end of the world, this new album is sure to please.
FCC: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 15
Favorite Tracks: 2, 3, 7
