Merauder
Bluetality
6.9
I first caught a Merauder track on a metal compilation album. It didn't really stand out, so I quickly forgot about it. Then along comes this new album, Bluetality, and I barely recognize the name so I decide to give it a shot. It's a damn good thing I did, this is some pretty bad-ass metalcore, some REAL hardcore metal, not the pussy stuff that has been released lately. Recently I have lost almost all respect for hardcore bands because of how pathetic and angst-ridden their 12 year old fans are, but I guess you could say it's bands like this that keep the hardcore scene cool. My first impression of this disc was Pantera meets Hatebreed, and that is the impression that sticks. If you're trying to be a band that is angry as hell, then you have picked two damn good bands to model yourself after in Hatebreed and Pantera. I believe this album is some sort of concept album against police brutality, hence the title, "Bluetality". The killer opening track, "No Warning", is about how corrupt cops control your life or something to that effect, and the track "41 Shots" is about how the police use excessive force. As they say rather hypocritically, "Forty-one reasons these pigs must die!!". So not only is it an album, it is a public service announcement! As with all hardcore, riffs are heavy and powerful, perfect for moshing and beating the crap out of the guy next to you at a show. All of the songs are sort of medium-paced, headbanging songs, most have some sort of refrain you can scream along to. So there isn't much variety, but you know what you're getting into when you listen to a metalcore band. It's the intensity you come for, not variety. Merauder deals out plenty of intensity with Bluetality, since they're from Brooklyn, I'd imagine there's plenty of hatred against cops throughout the band. All in all, this is a cool album, but if you're not a hardcore or metalcore fan, you may get bored of it after a few listens, as intense anger can get kind of boring. Simple riffs are catchy, but they don't keep you coming back for repeated listens to discover hidden intricacies. Obviously from my introduction, I did like the band and the album, and it's nice to see a non-gay hardcore band come along. Whether or not you buy this album really depends on whether or not you're into hardcore. If you aren't, I recommend a listen or two before you fork over your hard (or in the case of you pathetic, tantrum-throwing hardcore kids, hardly) earned dough.
