Underneath The Gun

How many releases that carelessly throw together disparate elements from different branches of metal and hardcore into an over-produced, predictable mush will be unleashed on us before the industry puts an end to it? Ultimately, the listener has to make a stand. Underneath the Gun, while not unbearable to the point of aneurysm, bring little to the table that the average bedroom mosher hasn't heard beaten into the ground by bands ripping off bands that are ripping off much better bands. The metalcore scene is endlessly spiralling towards implosion as a result of bands unclear on what made the genre a breath of fresh air in the first place: the emotion, the spontaneity, the freedom. If you choose to purchase this release, you'll hear a bit of Between the Buried and Me, a bit of sappy Christian screamo and the occasional breakdown that, while diverting, is ultimately soulless and almost worse than the earnest attempts at melody scattered throughout the disc. What you will not hear is a shred of originality or distinctiveness, and need I remind listeners of how oversaturated the style is? With groups like Misery Signals and the Red Chord still releasing material, new acts are going to have to come with something a little more convincing than this. Back to the drawing board.