Genre: Deathcore
For fans of: ABACABB, Demolisher, Emmure, Whitechapel
2010 is looking like a better year for Deathcore than 2009 was. Last 2 years all we ever got was copycat bands doing the same thing over and over but worse each time. This year we got some bands doing interesting things (Upon a Burning Body) and being copycats but doing it well at that (Chelsea Grin.) So how does No Mercy, No Forgiveness hold out to the others?
Very well I might add although its nothing original or insanely technical it manages to be a very catchy album and an easy listen the whole way through. We open up with a track which is mostly one long breakdown pattern which changes through the whole song. The guitar work is decently impressive to say the most. It mostly relies on chugging and the occasional catchy riffing. In total there are only to guitar solos to be found on the record however both are far from filler. The guitarwork will not bore you but neither will if keep people into technical stuff truly interested. If you however completly despise chugging this cd may not be for you.
The drumwork is also very impressive however this is not really a suprise at all. Deathcore has never really had many shitty drummers they just happen to never stand out among each other aside from Oceano and Whitechapel. Same goes here on this album its very catchy, very fast, and keeps well with the instruments. But that is preatty much exactly what you get out of it and nothing else much more sadly.
The vocal work is what truly interests me into this album. Ricky has one of the lowest and sickest sounding death growls I have ever heared in a long time. Its somewhat similar to Glen Benton of Deicide it would be interesting to see what he would sound like if he sang at a higher pace. Many will probably be reminded of the vocalist of ABACABB with how he keeps a deep tone, goes at a slow pace and occasionally lets out some high screams. The high screams are okay but its clear why he sticks to the lower growls more often it seems like a logical choice for him however the layered growl/screams are preatty sweet sounding. The album also has some really amazing sounding gang vocals in "Not the Fallen" which sound different from anything else I have heared before. this track and "Power of Submission" steal the album for me. Power of Submission is a more melodic sounding track and "Not the Fallen" is just a pure ass kicker.
The biggest complaint about this album is that it dosn't vary its speed at all and probably will not stay in your cd player forever. The first time you hear it will grab you in and most likely keep you interested for about its 30 minute running time. When you pick this up however you may want to pick up something else along with it like Upon a Burning Body.
Pros:
Amazing vocal work
2 tracks that will stay on your playlist for a long time
It all comes together well
Huge improvement over previous material
Cons:
Not much variety aside from the solos
Might not last you very long
Core haters won't be impressed
Overall: If you loved ABACABB's Survivalist check this out
Buy?: I say so
