Pack Of Wolves
Betrayer
6.9
I decided to make this a rapid fire review, despite the fact it’s pretty solid because it’s a vinyl release and there were only 350 copies pressed so if even 700 people read this review and all want to buy it - it’s not really going to matter to the other 350 - tough shit.
Pack of Wolves is the offshoot/side project of At All Cost (the short lived century media metalcore act) vocalist Trey Ramirez and few of his Austin, TX pals and frankly, it's better than anything At All Cost released. Earthy, groovey, metalcore-ish styled stuff that come across like Century mixed with stoner rock.
The 9 tracks are mainly rumbling mid paced tracks with a few gallops here and there all laced with Ramirez’s gruff rasp (with some layered growls/screams here and there). The whole affair is very organic and natural sounding with a refreshingly warm production. Also, the tracks never veer into any sort of emo/ pop or quirkier hues like At All Cost - not a clean vocal or piece of programming in sight (though there is a brief piano interlude that closes “Evaders” and the instrumental “The Death of my Old Self” has some sort of weird chanting). This is a simple, enjoyable riff driven affair with tracks like “Betrayer,” "Wall Crusher," “The Release Pt.II,” “Walking Dead” and the rocking “Concession” are undeniably catchy without being too commercial.
I don’t know why the band would want to limit this solid little release to vinyl only as it's better than most of the polished derivative metalcore that’s being played by Myspace kids nowadays - including At All Cost and most of Century Media’s recent signings.
