The repackaged, re-mastered edition of Coalesce's 1997 debut re-issued through Relapse Records comes with extensive liner notes from Coalesce guitarist Jes Steineger, as well as a second disc with 2004's Give Them Rope She Said V2.0, an alternate mix and mastering job of the original. With an emphasis on unorthodox but solid structures and rhythms with a penchant for musical experimentation and a serious lack of respect for anything that threatens to tie them to the constraints of a genre, Give Them Rope combines Coalesce's no-bullshit approach with muscle and masterful musicianship. Where the original release's production is a little muddy, V2.0 drags the tracks into the light and allows them to shine.
Musically, the songs are brutal as are the lyrical themes. Focussing on gruelling topics such as living in the shadow of a racist father, suicide, the right-wing leanings of children, the challenges of relationships, the packaging of the hardcore genre for profit, veganism as a pseudo-religious cult, and the exploitation of murder to ensure another term in office, Give Them Rope is a bitter pill to say the least, but is ultimately cathartic as the tracks reek of emotional release for the sake of sanity, or at least as close as we can come. Give Them Rope is eleven tightly clenched fists of torment, discontent, and relentless aggression in need of violent discharge.
Whether simply metal or suffering from the '-core' suffix so liberally strewn around the scene, modern metal bands should take heed and ask if their albums will have the same kind of longevity or the kind of influence that this has. They should then ask themselves if their albums sound as unique as this or if they will be as easily identifiable as Coalesce. If you like any music that's got the "-core" suffix purposely stamped all over it or if you're in one of those bands, get this, listen to it, live it. Then consider whether your interpretation of "-core" is correct. You may find that most of your music is suffering from a severe case of mistaken identity. Essential.
Track Listing (for both CDs):
- Have Patience
- One On The Ground
- Cut To Length
- For All You Are
- Still It Sells
- Chain Smoking
- Did It Pay The Rent
- Every Reason To
- I Am Not The First
- This Is The Last
- I Took A Year
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