The Pitch: New York City legendary punks The Casualties drop their 11th album via Cleopatra Records. FFO: Pennywise, Bad Religion, Iron Reagan
What I Like: Every now and then I like to change things up with something besides metal. I'm a lover of all genres, and punk has always been a good choice when I just need something a little more "fun." Written In Blood definitely checks off that box. I don't hear a lot of "true" punk these days as the genre was taken over and appropriated by now decidedly poppy acts like Green Day... though even these groups have largely gone the way of the buffalo. This all led to me being pleasantly surprised by the early-90's appeal of this new album. Between the always enthralling D-beats, back-to-basics power chord progressions, and raspy vocals; it's hard to not have a good time. Rebellious lyrics, wailing solos... what more does a smelly, mohawk-sporting punk need? The occasional Spanish is a nice touch as well.
Critiques: It's hard for me to avoid endless comparisons to albums that have come and gone over the years. They do it well, but particularly in the second half things get pretty generic. I have a particular aversion to the cringy "So Much Hate" and utterly on the nose "Borders." I feel that it's this lack of creativity that was largely responsible for the genre to become an endangered species.
The Verdict: If you're looking for some solid punk music that doesn't suck, or just an album to get roudy to, Written In Blood is a worthwhile choice. It's nothing you haven't heard a thousand times before, but it seems that The Casualties are one of the few punk bands left that can still bring some heat. Side note, is this cover an intential spoof of Children Of Bodom, or is it just a coincidence?
Flight's Fav's: Fucking Hate You, Ashes, Guard Dogs
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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