Goes Cube, Another Day Has Passed
From what I’ve read about this New York City trio, they sound like my kind of guys. They have no formal training on their instruments. They have no affiliation with any one metal genre. And they don’t give a fuck.
Goes Cube play a brand of heavier than hell music that spans many styles, reaching deep into metal, rock, punk and more. From thundering drums to down tuned guitars, Another Day Has Passed is chock full of clamoring tempos, urgent blasts and a rawness that is both refreshing and honest.
Through the thundering rhythms and thick guitars emerges the band’s post-hardcore, indie rock roots with melodic elements that help set off beefier moments on the album. The overall effect creates one hell of musical experience.
Bluest Sky
A massive, stoner fueled riff comes in from out of no where as “Bluest Sky” gets the album underway. The vocals are screamed, yet mid-range in tone and fit the thick guitars well. This is the shortest track on the disc, but it packs so much into its sub two minute length that it’s become one of my favorite songs. It’s raw, bruising, yet doesn’t overdo it trying to bludgeon you over the head with a blunt object — a bong perhaps.
Grinding The Knife Blade
The vocals get a good deal cleaner on this next one but don’t go into the cheesy realm, instead remaining raw with a tinge of confrontation in them. The guitars are driving and the drums thunder along nicely. It’s a decent up tempo track that will have you pumped in no time.
Restore
“Restore” slows things down with a near complete 180 degree shift in approach. Once the guitars kick in, they are thick and heavy, but the song remains calm and even level. There’s a great deal of feeling and atmosphere in the layers and textures of this track. I love the guitars at 2:13 — thick and punishing without taking away from the overall feel of the song.
The Only Daughter
As the reverb from the previous song fades into the pummeling drums of “The Only Daughter” we’re greeted with driving guitars and shouted vocals. The backing vocals are distant and a nice contrast to the raw shouts. There are plenty of stop/go moments throughout the track to keep you fully entertained for it’s 2:58 duration.
I Hold Grudges
The title of this next song suits me perfectly. Hell, I’m still waiting for the day I run into this kid from middle school. Yeah, I’m still pissed after 19 years. At any rate, the guitars on this one explode out of the gate with thundering drum work and thick bass. The vocal interaction between the primary screams and the backing cleanly sung portions makes for a wonderful juxtaposition and dynamic. This is a very cool song, through and through.
Saab Sonnet
Lighter, melancholic guitars come in smoothly as “Saab Sonnet” progresses through the first 30 seconds of its four minute length. Just before the one minute mark the guitars turn slightly sinister and get real thick before making way for the layered vocals. It’s not my favorite track but you have to admire the band for throwing everything they have into the album — soft, subtle melodies to in-your-face aggression all in the same track. The guitars at the three minute mark are great.
Goes Cube Song 30
You gotta love the originality in the title of this next one. I’m sure this was one of those “fuck it” moments that many bands have when trying to name songs. There’s a lot to this song as the band shifts tempos and vocal deliveries to create a heck of a dark and heavy song that’s neither really dark nor heavy. Clever, to say the least.
Back To Basics
Speaking of song titles, this one is more than appropriate as it also sees the band returning to the sound and heaviness that they opened the album with. Thundering drums and catchy vocals combine to deliver a bruising and groove filled song. It’s definitely one of my favorite songs on the album.
Goes Cube Song 57
Another untitled song is up next with some super slick, stoner riffs to open it up. The vocals are just as fitting as the rhythm pushes you to the brink time and time again. This has a bit of an old school 90s feel to it, but with a fresh, modern edge. It’s another song that I play repeatedly.
Urbana-Champaign
Distant guitars come in as Goes Cube gets “Urbana-Champaign” going for the first 30 seconds before some massive guitars and God-of-thunder drumming erupts for a short moment. The vocals have an indie feel to them, but are swallowed alive with a great chorus and accompanying monster riffs. I love the furious activity at 3:30 that really gets the blood pumping as beefy guitars and animalistic drumming introduce a slick lead.
Clenching Jaws
“Clenching Jaws” starts of with a great groove fueled, catchy bit of guitar work before some of the more creative drum work bring in the vocals. Man, this song has more groove and bong resin than just about any other track on the disc. It’s heavy and oppressive, yet catchy as all freakin’ get out.
Victory
I’m trying to remember who this song sounds like, but I can’t place my finger on the sound. It’s vaguely familiar yet new. “Victory” has a great tone to the guitars and is full of emotion and feeling as the guys work their way through the song. There is a nice slow down just before the two minute mark that lets you reload the bong before you have to exhale with some serious groove filled head banging.
Another Day Has Passed
The final track weighs in at just over eight minutes in length, starting off slowly with light guitar work and distant vocals. The song for the most part is somewhat ambient with lots of atmosphere and tremendous guitar work. Thicker guitar tones come in around the three minute mark and progressively get slower and slower as shouted vocals come in. Then things take a different turn as if a new song starts at just before the four minute mark with driving guitars and bruising drums. This is an epic song to end out the album.
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Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A