It seems like just last month I was reviewing Whitechapel's self-titled release, but lo and behold that was nearly 2 years ago already...how time does fly. The American deathcore darlings are back with their latest platter of destruction for Metal Blade Records, this one titled Our Endless War. And yes, as you can tell by the name of the album and some of the song titles, lots of political themes and rantings on this one, as the band seem to want to get some stuff off their proverbial chests and piss on some relevant topics, which, hey, is OK by me. "Rise" and the title track bust out of the gate with plenty of venom spewed by vocalist Phil Bozeman, and though "Mono" has a generic quality to it, I like the extra amount of groove given to both "Let Me Burn" and "Worship the Digital Age", the latter a real cool slice of crunch-a-licious death metal that is quite addicting. The chugging "How Times Have Changed" has a 'been there, heard that' feel to it, but the riffs are nonetheless engaging, and "Psychopathy" throws some different elements, almost atmospheric/psychedelic in nature, that we haven't heard much from the band before. "Diggs Road" also goes down that path, another textured song that takes the normal Whitechapel style and throws it out the window in place of some tasty melodic lead guitar work, atmospheric riffs & arrangements, and varied vocal styles. Bonus track "A Process so Familiar" is plenty brutal, as is "Fall of the Hypocrites", showing that the band can still deliver what got them here in the first place.
I'm not sure that Our Endless War will convert those who haven't already jumped on the Whitechapel bandwagon, but it's another solid release from this US band who keeps very busy with regular recording and constant touring, honing their craft in a very professional way as they go along. Can't argue with that!
Track Listing
- Rise
- Our Endless War
- The Saw Is the Law
- Mono
- Let Me Burn
- Worship the Digital Age
- How Times Have Changed
- Psychopathy
- Blacked Out
- Diggs Road
- A Process so Familiar (Bonus Track)
- Fall of the Hypocrites (Bonus Track)
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