Review of The Number Twelve Looks Like You - An Inch Of Gold For An Inch Of Time EP

I’ll admit it I like this band. A lot. Despite being one of those ‘love to hate’ bands that ‘real’ metal fans frown on in the supposed ‘fashion’core’ scene. Truth is, I think they are one of the most talented groups in the ‘spaz/grind/metalcore’ genre and they are barely out of their teens.

Anyway, this taster EP is a dual sided sword. On one hand, it is a new The #12 release, but on the other hand 2 of its 5 tracks are re-recorded tracks from their devastating Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses debut EP, and one track is a cover of, (wait for it)…. “My Sharona” by the Knack. So basically all you get is two new songs, but I guess when you are still in Middle School, it is hard together and write new songs with your band.

The two re-recorded songs, “Don't Get Blood on My Prada Shoes” and “Jesus and Tori” don’t sound that much different at all except maybe “Jesus and Tori” has an emphasis on melody in the track ending solo/acoustic break, which seemed more in tune with the bands slight development. Otherwise, the tracks are still the monstrously chaotic, screeching car wreck of noise that they seem to get panned for.

For the two new tracks, the vocals are still a rather high end grating prepubescent squeal and an ultra low growl, and the music is still a vast vortex of grindcore blast beats and slightly effeminate emo rants, but when crushed together in a landslide of dissonance noise, but it works. “Clarice Explains Cuntainment” opens with a Japanese flourish before immediately displaying The #12’s new found harmonic slant that doesn’t ignore the discordant grind aspect. With almost Shai Hulud like over indulgence, the track's mid section is a swirling, dizzying, orchestrated bitch slap with extra hot sauce. “Like a Cat” has some of the same massively layered guitar work, but with a throbbing grindcore undercurrent that randomly surfaces to inject a lumbering riff or growl into the emo leanings. Throw in a brief Flamenco interlude, and The #12 is still sure to piss of the metal traditionalists. I’m not even going to talk about “My Sharona”.

With the new material, The #12 has evolved enough to give them a little more emo appeal, but is still chaotic enough to appeal to more open minded grind and hardcore fans. The only disappointment of this EP is the lack of new material, but still, there old stuff entertains me. Now once these lads graduate from Kindergarten, I believe a full length album is due later in 2005. Hoo-fucking –rah.

Release Details

The Number Twelve Looks Like You

An Inch Of Gold For An Inch Of Time EP

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