Crisis
Like Sheep Led To Slaughter
9.6
Wow, what the hell? I remembered hating this band. Then again, I pretty much dismiss any music that features a female vocalist - and I do specifically remember hating the vocals. But what the hell? This is a really unique listen. What the fuck is wrong with me? I just assumed it was some sort of hardcore with operatic vocals.
In actuality, Crisis play sort of a sludgy/doom/noise-rock hybrid. Real interesting, though. I feel like the biggest fucking tool for just figuring out how great this band is. With simple yet aggressive riffing in sort of a hardcore style at times and artificial harmonics used sparingly, Crisis manages to mold every song into something that leaves a profound impression. On tracks like "Secrets of the Prison House", Like Sheep Led To Slaughter is as doomy as it is depressing, with the same hopeless-feeling riff repeating and ringing. It's really musical and not unlike a few of the noisier and heavier bands that permeated the underground of the 1990's - a more modern example being bands like Cable, Cavity, or Damad. Unlike half the shit that comes through here, I could actually pick a clear favorite track or two. Don't ask me to, though.
Karyn Crisis is a name I've been hearing for years. Years and years. I've always regarded her as probably being a singer I really wouldn't like. As I've gotten older, I've realized that in my eyes, one of the biggest setbacks about metal is the monotone vocals. I don't want to listen to instrumental music, but I don't want the vocals to be regarded as something that's included out of obligation to the band-structure tradition. So, basically, what I'm trying to get at is that Karyn Crisis is a great vocalist. She does what she knows and doesn't try to over-extend her abilities or try to play off the fact that she's a female vocalist. Her yells are painful, her growls are formidable, and she can actually fucking sing. Best of all, she'll use all these vocal styles over the course of one entire song without becoming tedious or distracting. She's sort of the pissed-off female equivalent to Mike Patton.
I knew Today is the Day had recruited Crisis' current drummer, Josh Florian, to replace Marshall Kilpatric for a while. But I never bothered to go back and take a listen to Crisis, despite this frail connection. Thankfully, the drumming is top-notch and more than impressive with plenty of tribal-esque rhythms and a real raw sound, thanks to the production work of the prolific Billy Anderson (Neurosis, High On Fire, Brutal Truth).
Honestly, I feel so bad for speaking ill of this band, even if I was 16 when I did it. Like Sheep Led To Slaughter is honestly one of the more enjoyable albums I've heard in a while - all genres considered, not just metal. I'm sure there are just as many people who hate this band as well as people who love them, but to anyone with an open mind, I wouldn't hesitate to push this album to them.
