Ever since they first appeared on the scene in 2006 I have given Whitechapel as wide a berth as possible as the powers that be (AKA The Press) immediately associated them with the dreaded D****C*** tag, However my curiosity was raised in them last year when they appeared as an unexpected booking for Bloodstock Open Air 2013.
At the time touring in support of their self-titled fourth album it transpired that they are in fact a pretty decent groove based death METAL act.
Fun Fact One: They are a six piece with three guitarists as well as vocalist, bassist and drummer.
Fun Fact Two: No they are not from the East End of London but from Knoxville, Tennessee.
All of which leads us to the present day and the release of album number five Our Endless War, which turns out to be an unexpected hardcore tinged gem that doesn’t conform to type.
‘Rise’ is your stereotypical big dramatic intro with acoustic guitars and marching drums that leads into the metallic hardcore assault of ‘Our Endless War’ which provides an impressive energy shot to get the ball rolling while the three guitarist makes themselves useful in the mid-section with seven string djent RIFFS complimenting and contrasting nicely the traditional metallic rhythms.
‘The Saw Is The Law’ incorporates the hardcore and djent elements into a mid-paced death metal groove to superb affect and it is noticeable that the lyrics are also of the more direct passionate hardcore variety rather than standard death metal gore affair which certainly provides the album with its own character.
‘Mono’ kicks back into up-tempo hardcore RIFFAGE matched with a noticeably more aggressive intent, but is well paced with a sprinkling of melodic interludes allowing the heavy build ups to hit home with more force.
“The Mouth Of Hell Is Open Wide TONIGHT!”
This singular gang chant signals that start of the de facto album highlight ‘Let Me Burn’, which starts as what appears to be a macho hardcore chest beater, but slowly and subtly morphs into an emotionally charged anthemic metalcore lament.
‘Worship The Digital Age’ dispenses with the melodic edges and goes straight for the jugular with a crushing combination of grinding RIFF and rapid fire drumming leading nicely into ‘How Times Have Changed’, which includes a highly affective spoken word delivery.
‘Psycopathy’ and ‘Blacked Out’ take their cues from the ferocity of thrash metal without the letup in hardcore intensity, while ‘Diggs Road’ takes a whole different route, starting with a slow instrumental build up that develops into a mid paced off kilter rhythm interrupted by several stadium sized guitar solos until…
….It suddenly and unexpectedly finishes leaving the phrase “Leave them wanting more” ringing in your ears.
Unless of course you obtain a copy that includes the two bonus tracks ‘A Process So Familiar’ and ‘Fall Of The Hypocrites’, which I suggest you do because although they don’t fit in the context of the album they are both ripping tracks in their own right.
