Corrupt Moral Altar: Mechanical Tides

It's the end of 2014, which means that I'm writing reviews of albums that I skipped or came to me late, or feel behind on my list. This album, this band's debut, came out back in July. I've listened to it a couple of times in the last week or so and thought I'd offer a few words about it. No, I don't want to revise my "best of 2014" list or anything like that, but I admire this album's overall power.

The music here is crushing and bold, the kind of music that is simultaneously restless and confident. The vocals, performed by Chris Reese, shriek and screech with relentless abandon, always staying slightly ahead of the music. The rest of the band, John Cooke, Adam Clarkson, and Tom Dring, keep things moving with just as much intensity and strength. The music here is often crazy, as if created by wild beasts ramming into anything and everything. Of all the songs, I liked "Closed Casket" the best. "Admit Defeat" and "Black Chapter" showed off some of the band's softer sides. The latter, a short guitar melody, was a nice break from the noise. It was almost pretty. I also liked "River Blind" because of its simple, yet powerful, riff. Things end with "Insect Politicians," a song that's got to be a screed against modern-day corruption. It's a nice way to wrap things up.

On the whole, this is good material. It's largely built off of hardcore and noise and should appeal to those who favor such styles.

Track Listing:
1. Father Tongue
2. Blood Harmony
3. Die Glocke (feat. Jeff Walker)
4. Line Check
5. Wire Mother
6. Gin Dreams
7. Closed Casket
8. Sweet Talk
9. Admit Defeat
10. Garland Greene
11. River Blind
12. Black Chapter
13. Insect Politicians

Added: December 30th 2014
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1818
Language: english

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