ANIMOSITY

Still not old enough to drink legally in the United the States, Bay Area youths ANIMOSITY release album number two, "Empires". Much respect goes to the band for sticking to the heavy stuff, rather than applying the eyeliner and riding a breakdown to emoville. On 2002's Tribunal Records debut, "Shut It Down", the band mixed a death metal based sound with thrash and hardcore, the only tuneful bits the odd harmony and SLAYER-esque lick. Metalcore only in the vaguest of terms, "Shut It Down" was more about incorporating the brutal aspects of the aforementioned styles with accomplished musicianship and little concern for mass appeal.

"Empires" sees the band go in a much more death metal-oriented direction, so much so that it's taken me several listens to blast "Shut It Down" out of my head and focus solely on the merits of this one. At a whopping 27 minutes ("Shut It Down" is 22),the band packs a lot into each vicious track. A significant CARCASS influence is present, much of that attributable to the growl/shriek vocal approach (think everyone from GOREROTTED to IMPALED). Vocalist Leo Miller could serve time in any number of Razorback Records bands and no one would be the wiser. The foundation of many of these impressively percussive arrangements (drummer Navene Kopperweis keeps it heavy and interesting) is made of classic American and, in many respects, Polish death metal. The album is a grower though, as my initial reactions were that it didn't reach the same heights as its predecessor. With time, the constant shifting from crunching death metal groove to THE RED CHORD sound textures and style changeups makes a positive impression. A few SLAYER-esque thrash riffs do remain ("Life Advocate"). The only hardcore characteristics left over from "Shut It Down" come by way of brief breakdowns and the occasional gang shout ("The Black Page" and "Shut it Down"). Keeping it to nine tracks allows one to get in and out quickly; leaving enough of a positive impression to go back through in effort to make sure you didn't miss anything the first time.

Had I not given this one a few more listens, it would have probably ended up with a 6.5 rating, if only because the initial impact wasn't as jarring as it was with "Shut It Down". However, with each additional spin a previously undiscovered layer of depth is revealed. Impressive musicianship and unapologetic savagery make "Empires" a keeper for those with no use for serene passages and emo crooning.