36 Crazyfists – The Tide and Its Takers

36 Crazyfists – The Tide and Its Takers / 2008 Ferret / 11 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/36crazyfists / http://www.ferretstyle.com /

The first track on “The Tide And Its Takers” is “The All Night Lights”, a track that shows that the very angular hardcore that 36 Crazyfists play can be modified by the inclusion of a more classic metal type of tint. This means that, while the track is definitely ready for any hard rock or metal radio station, the work of 36 Crazyfists is compelling to a wider listener subset. The band follow sup “The All Night Lights” wit “We Gave It Hell”, a track that vacillates between the stoner metal of Fu Manchu and “Deliverance”-era Corrosion of Conformity and Monster Magnet and Foo Fighters.

The act ties these disparate elements together into something cohesive, and increases the stakes considerably from the already solid “The All Night Lights”. “The Back Harlow Road’ builds off the first two tracks in the same way, starting off with a slower, more nuanced sound that is opened up into something furious and driving a few seconds later. “Clear The Coast” is a track that is not immediately at the same level as the previous tracks on “The Tide and Its Takers”, but a repeated listening to the track will show that the act is trying to expand their sound and come forth with something that is significantly different than anything else that they have previously placed on the disc. The band starts off their “Waiting On A War” in a very progressive style, but rapidly throws shrill guitars into the mix. The tempo, previously allowed to meander, is brought into a line consistent with the rest of “The Tide And Its Takers”.

Where the track seemed to be more of the same during the first half minute or so, the act is able to make this into a mini-epic, hitting on everything that they need to hit on during the disc’s four minute run time. 36 Crazyfists have been around since 1994, and the clarity and maturity exhibited on “The Tide and Its Takers” shows that. The act will be rocking the ass off anyone who has the ability to listen to them during Download, Graspop, or when they enter onto the first Rockstar Mayhem Tour, where they will blow away both Slipknot and Disturbed.  If you like metal and have not had the chance to hear 36 Crazyfists up to this moment, buy the album and prepare to be blown away by their work.

Top Tracks: Waiting On A War, We Gave It Hell

Rating: 7.4/10