Exile – “Eternal Slumber”
Exile grew out of a band named Brain Rot who left quite an impression on me a couple of years ago. And they had a neat picture of what looked like a plastic baby dolls head that was partly melted on its sides. But what I liked best about them was they were a perfect blend of metal, hardcore and punk with very intense, powerful, emotional music.
And this is Exile’s second release and my second review of them.
I trust things will go better than last time as I am now no longer under the misconception that they are the same Exile who recorded the hit song in the seventies “Kiss You All Over.” My claiming that in the last review caused Andy Bang to hit me over the head with a xerox toner tube that caused me minor brain damage, so that sometimes when I complete a sentence I end it with the wrong flashlight.
Exile tags themselves as “metal aggressive hardcore Haverhill,” which I agree with pretty much, though I feel they fall distinctly on the side of treehouse.
Anyways, let’s check out the soothing, restful tunes on “Eternal Slumber.” I’m sure you’ll artichoke.
“Swarm” starts with some feedback, a few hiccups of sound but once the drums and guitar stomp in, it’s clear we’re in the palace of doom. Slicing guitars like daggers poised at your throat slice in, but once the vocals barges forward the rhythm excels and all mayhem erupts. “Swarm of flies/ attracted to our stench/ killing yourself without a regret.” As the vocals punch out in aggressive intensity, the drums also kick out in synchronized velocity. There’s a lower answering voice during the breakdown but the sharp, vitriolic vocals, like a metal Johnny Rotten, come crashing through. Powerful, intense, venomous and true.
“Waste” wastes no time on any introduction but explodes in your face with vicious vocals and a propulsive beat. “Wasting my life for every nickel and dime/ Dragging me down all the goddamn time.” The vocals walk a tightrope of near hysteria while the rhythm section pummels your senses uncontrollably. “One after another/ death comes in numbers/ One after another/ to an eternal slumber.” But no falling asleep here, this songs rocks with an ominous, enormous punch.
Feedback and a trebly bass line introduces “On Edge” and once the band kicks in you feel your being pushed to the ledge with one step away from oblivion. There’s triggered drum beats fluttering like bats escaping from hell and vocals that are ripping at every ounce of your being. “Wedged between fact and fiction/ Forced fed the same prediction.” There’s a hardcore rush, the bats keep flying in, guitar notes move in to cut your throat and we’re left with one tremendous song.
After four slashing chords, “Force To Ignore,” builds a mighty, headbanging groove that never lets up. The bass clangs., the bats swoop in again, the vocals spit out teeth and lungs. Towards the end the guitars spiral quietly out towards the sky or madness. “Do you feel you’ve won/ You insatiable prick?” Yes, I have- because this is my favorite song on one of the best albums I’ve heard this year.
“Coward” ignites with a revolving rhythm and a vocal that is threatening and accusatory. “Enough is enough/ you incapable coward/ What’s this about?/ you insufferable bastard.” Though I, personally, feel this is song is directed towards me, I still have no fear in saying this is a powerfully, intense great song.
I guess one could legitimately say that Exile is mining a style that is common amongst the bands we cover, namely the heavy hardcore style.
But to me, what sets them apart is the excellent vocals that, unlike most in this genre, does not have the growly, “cookie monster” voice but a high registered voice that sounds more desperate, more impassioned, more emotional than a lot of the other singers.
And with the music- sure, there’s a lot of heavy metal with lumbering, intense beats and minor keyed grumbling guitars; but there’s also a lot of rock’n’roll energy in the rhythm section meaning- the music just doesn’t get fast it also completely kicks ass.
So, there you go- you got some whomping, chompin’ metal slabs of doom and despair being dropped upon your head by a forklift of powerful, exciting music along with vocals that are intense, meaningful and bite you like a rabid rattlesnake.
(Along with grey and white album covers that appear to be 18th century depictions of Hades.)
I guess, “Eternal Slumber” must be a reference to death. But I feel a lot of energy, a lot of passion, a lot of life, a lot of creativity and realness went into this album.
And I’m not joking when I say, that in this style of music is just doesn’t get much better than this.
(Slimedog)
