Crystal Death came accompanied by either a political manifesto or a list of failed relationships. While I’m not sure on what that SEO press release was implying by comparing Earth Caller to a list of politically charged bands who were big in the 90’s I’m pretty sure I’d be a lot happier without being dosed with obtuse self-righteousness. Similarly Earth Caller sound about as 90’s and right-on as having a wank in a public restroom. Yes it’s a fresh release but no it’s not edgy. Smegy maybe but I digress.
There is a lot of spunk on display but that isn’t this albums’ strong point. What Crystal Death has is an emotional coherence. Which translates so well into music but in light of fads and trends is often overlooked for what can best be described as music for the histrionic masses. As such is it not the folly of Capitalism to superimpose the idea that sanitization sells.
Emo-coherence; what does it mean and how does it relate to this album? We-ell it means that the structure of the songs on Crystal Death, while emotionally intense, have no extraneous posturing. The riffs are authentic and the melodies are succinct and have meaning. A deeper meaning than the Handle With Care attitude that comes in the flat-packed post-hardcore from IKEA; Crystal Death has a solid constitution and as an extra feature its tonal vignette brings focus to its raw emotional aperture.
What is the second album from the Melbourne quinitet Crystal Death is a mighty, mighty return. Uncomparable to any other act this album gives the Australians a voice to rival old term favourites in the P’ardon-me-core scene [that’s shorthand for the Post Hardcore scene. – Ed] While this is an exemplary album that’s grounded in the values of high-school Socrates through no fault of its own it brings back memories of a time before heavy metal was the signature of the gentry. Good music means good times and Earth Caller have stacked this album with them good riffs.
8/10
