George Mason
Every Time I Die occupy a unique space in the world of heavy music, whilst their influences remain clear they have managed to create a sound that is so truly their own that it’s instantly recognisable and instantly revered by so many. Each album sees the band expand that space by taking their core sound and, using influences both old and new, crafting another chunk of southern rock-tinged, technical hardcore that could only ever be Every Time I Die. And that’s exactly what they’ve done with this years opus Ex-Lives, kicking off with the fabulously titled Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space tongue-in-cheek lyricist and frontman Keith Buckley screams ‘I want to be dead with my friends’ before the instantly identifiable guitar sound hits you along with a suitable barrage of drums, from then on the tempos chop and change and the relentless riffs seem set to rip your head clean off as head banging feels compulsory. The next two tracks, Holy Book Of Dilemma and A Wild, Shameless Pain, clock in at under two-minutes each, frantic guitar work and face-ripping vocals may have you ready to throw in the towel. I Suck (Blood) and Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow sees the band’s rock n roll sensibilities come to the fore and a slight return to the style that suited them so well on 2007’s The Big Dirty, southern rock riffs, slick, clean vocals and lyrics, that once again establish Keith Buckley as one of the coolest lyric writers in the business, keep the immense quality of this album at a stratospheric high. The Low Road Has No Exits keeps up the pace with angular riffing and some stunning drum work, before album curve ball, Revival Mode, slows it and displays Every Time I Die’s ability to write a heavy slab of brooding hard rock. Normal business is resumed for Drag King and Touch Yourself, ‘I have declared a war on the silence before the storm’, Buckley screams on the former in his distinctive roar. Closer, Indian Giver, is without doubt a highlight and maybe one of the best songs the band has ever written, classic Every Time I Die riffs, an eerie chorus that lulls you into otherworldly territory and a spooky vocal style displays yet another string to the Every Time I Die bow. Every Time I Die’s influence on the modern hardcore scene is unquestionable, but with Ex-Lives it has become clear how far ahead of the game they are, never ones to rest on their laurels, they continue to find new ways to expand their sound without every compromising what makes them unique. In short,no one touches them.