Remembering Never, God Save Us
So what do you do when your message is repeatedly taken out of context and totally misunderstood, misinterpreted and spun the wrong way?
Well, if you’re the lead vocalist for Remembering Never and often have the word “mean” thrown in front of your name, you simply explain what the convoluted lyrics mean and how they are supposed to be taken. I actually enjoy it when bands do this in their liner notes. Far too often though, they take themselves too damned seriously, getting long winded in their translations. Lucky for us, the straight edge, vegan Pete keeps it simple and too the point — like the lyrics he shouts, growls and screams.
Musically, the band has shifted from the style they presented on Women and Children Die First, embracing a more powerful, driving hardcore flavor. The drums are frantic and at often times Wolvey-berserker style. The guitars are pretty rough and crushing, adding that push needed for the lyrics to hit home.
Never afraid to ruffle the mainstream’s feathers or mix it up with the media, Pete’s lyrics touch on a gamut of topics. Religion, the current political regime, and your mom are all targets for his frustrations and anger.
Con Artist
The band starts it off simply enough with plenty of double bass fills and monster riffs. The shouted chorus is a nice touch on this one as well. It’s fast paced and charged with plenty of anger.
Pocket Full Of Dirt
You’ll find some of the best drumming on this track — insanity behind the kit. It’s too bad that the song is so damned short, coming in at 1:20.
Slaughterhouse Blues
The slaughter of animals for food is the topic here. Personally, I can’t see a life without a rare steak on my plate, so this one comes off as a bit preachy. That said, it’s a pretty heavy track with plenty of huge riffs.
Little Hitlers
The title of this song alone will get the album blacklisted from most playlists on the airwaves. It’s a hell of a beefy song, though.
The Goddamn Busy Signal
There is some heavy mosh in the first half of this track sure to blow a speaker of two.
Suicide Hotline on Speed Dial
Angry. Pissed off. You name it, Pete’s feeling it on this one. Huge mosh and rapid fire drums keep the momentum speeding forward.
White Devil
Didn’t get enough breakdowns from that last song? The band has plenty more for you in the first half of this one as Pete belts out his delilvery.
T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E.
The riffs in this one, and even the drumming, have a bit of a lighter feel to them. I’m not sure who the guest vocalist is (I don’t ahve the liner notes in front of me at this time), but he adds an interesting layer and dynamic to the song. His delivery is less guttural and higher range than Pete’s.
Judas Will Swing
Religion is the target on this one. I’ve come to realize at this point in the album that, while I generally like Pete’s delivery, my favorite aspect of this release has been the drumming. Dude just goes off on this one.
Please Don’t Let My Mother Read This
This is probably the most intense track in all aspects, vocally and musically. I would love to hear more of this style from the band. The breakdown sounds like it could have come off of Women and Children Die First.
Selma
Again, the drummer lights up the speakers with his energy and intensity.
Runner Up In A Shit-Eating Contest
After the brief slowdown with “Selma,” the band picks it back up with this track. Finally the lead guitars show some of the innovative sounds that the band showed they were capable of on their last studio effort. For the most part the band has been more straight forward in their sound. In this song the guitars let loose.
Gangsta Rap & Peppermint Schapps
Pete brings in some deep, guttural growls on this one. It’s a nice change up from the rest of the album.
Off Key And Outta Line
The final track on the disc starts off with cleanly sung vocals. After the berage we have received from Pete, I think the cleanly sung vocals are a bit too little too late. Why even include them at this point. Other than that small gripe, this is a pretty intense track.
~ ~ ~
With the majority of the tracks lasting under three minutes in duration, this album flies by. The quick riffs and rapid pounding from the drums only speeds it along further. I’m sure that all those of the straight-edge and/or vegan lifestyle already have this one playing all the time, but for those of use that drink (alot) and like our burgers still mooing, this one can come across a little preachy. Thankfully, Pete keeps the subjects varied and not just on his own personal dietary beliefs.
Favorite Tracks:
Pocket Full of Dirt
The Goddamn Busy Signal
Please Don’t Let My Mother Read This
Additional Notes:
n/a