Abandon All Ships

There's guttural and then there's Guido. Abandon All Ships are a combination of both. A signature blend of euro and 'core subgenres has launched them since their appearance on MuchMusic's Disband, where they were encouraged to continue in creativity. The T-Dot natives prove they're for real on Infamous, their second major label release, sampling less of Scooter's "Maria (I Like It Loud)" for more original material. The title track establishes the record with AutoTune/boy band pitch contrasted against Angelo Aita's mature vocal chords, spewing confident lyrics of volatile ambition. One can spot scenes of St.Clair West landmarks in the band's video homage to Toronto, where rapper A-Game adds unexpected flavour in a gaudy cameo interlude. The electro-charged "Made of Gold" shows a knack for catchy songwriting, while "August" and "Faded" slow down the album with a melancholy tone and verse. The bass-heavy "Brothers For Life" is an ode to the band's bond, evoking their jocular personalities with a sound byte from 1986 Chevy Chase comedy ¡Three Amigos! The former and "American Holocaust" are the most metal pieces on Infamous, balancing out the other content with pummelling percussion and harsh minor chords. Critical eyes that were cast upon Abandon All Ships will be fully open after listening to this sophomore success. It's evident that AAS take themselves seriously in a validation effort that draws influences from original and external elements – even if they once requested to be photographed in Kappa tracksuits.