#level c

¿Me permites?

La noche entera

Tengo que superarlo

Léeme la mente / Lee mi mente

Antes de que te vayas

By Dan #d

(view my personal tumblr here)

Album Title: The Sick, Dumb & Happy

Band: The Charm The Fury

Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Groove Metal, Pop, Rock

Label:  Arising Empire / Nuclear Blast

Release Date:  March 17, 2017

When I read Metal Hammer or Revolver magazine, I usually just stick to reading about bands that I’m familiar with. Occasionally I’ll read a random article. But in the most recent Metal Hammer, I decided to do some more exploring and pay attention to the ads and new band articles. The Charm The Fury are one of the bands I saw an ad for, and I am glad I did. This album is something else, plus I’m all about female fronted bands. Yeah yeah Floor Jansen, I know it’s not a genre.

The Sick, Dumb & Happy opens with the song, Down On The Ropes. I wasn’t entirely sure of the song’s message (which would happen more than once proceeding), however it was very pleasing upon first listen. Opening with some speedy guitars and awesome drum beats, it eventually transcended into some nice grooves. Which instantly reminded me of Pantera. When vocalist, Caroline Westendorp made her first appearance, I was instantly drawn in. These vocals are not your typical Halestorm or Evanescence. They’re dirty and raw. Kind of reminded me of Christine Maynard of Level C or Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies. The next song Echoes put me on a trip (in a good way). I had to read the lyrics like ten times to figure out the message of the song. I suspect it’s about believing that fighting yourself is dumb. The lyrics say “Step down, show respect, for the folly of man. Some things are better left unsaid”. Then continues to explain that pounding forces (presumably in her head) are not a war within, but just echoes. Explained by the lyric “This is not a war, this is who we are. I remember what I stand for. It echoes in my head”. On this lyric, the song sounded like Demi Lovato or some pop singer stole the mic for a second. I was very confused by the sudden mood change in the music, but I was cool with it.

Most people know that love is a huge risk. The third track, Weapoonized says “You barely even know that you’re ever going to die” and “You’re just a victim of love’s industry”. Well I knew love was risky but that’s a sad (but probably realistic) view on love. This song is cool in that it has what I like to call “battle of guitars”, in which high guitar riffs and low guitar riffs play interchangeably. Love it. I also like the low, gut wrenching vocals during the bridge. Reminds me of Marilyn Manson or Chris Motionless of Motionless In White. The later is probably a realistic influence, as she also says “Fuck!” at the end of the bridge in a similar manner to how Chris says “Ugghh!” in multiple songs.

When No End In Sight came on, I started to hear even more influences in Caroline’s voice. Her screaming vocals reminded me a lot of Angela Gossow, previously of Arch Enemy. She even reminded me of Jill Janus of Huntress at one point. Specifically because she was still screaming, but in a lower octave then I think Angela usually sung. I’m all about the instrumentation on The Future Need Us Not. There is an epic opening that reminded me of the intro music you hear before fighting a boss in a video game. Okay Okay I admit it, its another high and low contrast. But it almost sounds like during the low riffs, the guitarist is stroking the very bottom of the guitar strings to make a very warped sound. When the singing begins with “The future need us not. It will go unopposed”, there’s so many cool things going on. The low gut vocals are back, with a guitar riff that sounds like the strings are old and deteriorating. All with some awesome, deep drum beats in the background. This is all just within the first 30 seconds of the song

Towards the end of the album is Silent War; which marks the very first appearance of an acoustic guitar. The Demi Lovato pop vocals are totally high jacked, however there are some nice clean vocals here that kind of remind me of Storm Large or Lesley Roy. This is the only non-metal song on the album. It talks about a man who is being tortured by his own mind. The man is “using all of his strength, but still loosing. A war in his head”. Some of the reasons why he’s loosing may be because “the memories won’t show mercy”. Also towards the end is Songs of Obscenity, which I wonder if it’s about Avril Lavigne. The verse “We don’t wear brands. Don’t watch TV. Oh can you say, hypocrisy? We’re singing Woo oo oo, Woo oo oo. Straight to the bank we run this scene” makes me think so. I know Avril Lavigne was sported wearing Dickies in her “punk” days, but when I hear “Woo oo oo, Woo oo oo”, I instantly think Avril. Cause she sings it in a lot her songs. Is this song about her possibly? Probably not.