Alex DiVincenzo
01/12/09, 11:20 AM
Too Pure to Die - Confess
Record Label: Trustkill Records
Release Date: January 13, 2009
When someone mentions heavy music coming out of Iowa, the first thing that comes to most people's minds is Slipknot (aside from the few smart individuals who may think of Modern Life Is War first). Fellow Iowans Too Pure To Die aren't doing much to change that. The straight edge band begin their career playing pummeling metallic hardcore. It was typical tough-guy stuff, but they were decent at it and, as a result, their music was fun. For their Trustkill Records debut, Confess, the band went in a different direction, the more accessible metalcore route.
When I received the promotional copy of this CD, I popped it into my car's stereo with the anticipation of bringing a car-mosh fueled by brutal breakdowns. It does have a few crunchy breakdowns, but they are among music that sounds like it was written by a bunch of kids who started out playing Korn covers until they realized it wasn't cool anymore and started listening to Hatebreed. I literally ejected the CD from the player to make sure that it was the right disc. To my dismay, it was. This is the new face of Too Pure To Die.
Some people will attribute the change to new vocalist Paul Zurlo. Others will blame Trustkill for ruining another band. Fans will say they've "matured." Most will just cry "sell out" without caring why. Whatever the case, this album is bad; there's no other way to put it. There aren't really any redeeming qualities, outside of the production, which was co-handled by metal machine Zuess (Shadows Fall, All That Remains) and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta (Sworn Enemy). It's a little over-produced, but I assume that was the point (think Bury Your Dead's self-titled album).
It seems like Too Pure To Die took a bit too much influence from their hometown heroes for their third album. In addition to the nu-inspired instrumentation (especially in the guitar work), Zurlo's raspy scream is somewhat similar to Slipknot's Corey Taylor. The weak clean vocals do nothing to help the cause. If you're a former nu metal kid just getting into scene metalcore and can't wait for the next Bury Your Dead album, Too Pure to Die's Confess is perfect for you. Otherwise, this is a half hour you won't want to suffer through.
Bury Your Dead; Stick to Your Guns; Atreyu; Slipknot
myspace.com/toopuretodie (http://www.myspace.com/toopuretodie)
Record Label: Trustkill Records
Release Date: January 13, 2009
When someone mentions heavy music coming out of Iowa, the first thing that comes to most people's minds is Slipknot (aside from the few smart individuals who may think of Modern Life Is War first). Fellow Iowans Too Pure To Die aren't doing much to change that. The straight edge band begin their career playing pummeling metallic hardcore. It was typical tough-guy stuff, but they were decent at it and, as a result, their music was fun. For their Trustkill Records debut, Confess, the band went in a different direction, the more accessible metalcore route.
When I received the promotional copy of this CD, I popped it into my car's stereo with the anticipation of bringing a car-mosh fueled by brutal breakdowns. It does have a few crunchy breakdowns, but they are among music that sounds like it was written by a bunch of kids who started out playing Korn covers until they realized it wasn't cool anymore and started listening to Hatebreed. I literally ejected the CD from the player to make sure that it was the right disc. To my dismay, it was. This is the new face of Too Pure To Die.
Some people will attribute the change to new vocalist Paul Zurlo. Others will blame Trustkill for ruining another band. Fans will say they've "matured." Most will just cry "sell out" without caring why. Whatever the case, this album is bad; there's no other way to put it. There aren't really any redeeming qualities, outside of the production, which was co-handled by metal machine Zuess (Shadows Fall, All That Remains) and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta (Sworn Enemy). It's a little over-produced, but I assume that was the point (think Bury Your Dead's self-titled album).
It seems like Too Pure To Die took a bit too much influence from their hometown heroes for their third album. In addition to the nu-inspired instrumentation (especially in the guitar work), Zurlo's raspy scream is somewhat similar to Slipknot's Corey Taylor. The weak clean vocals do nothing to help the cause. If you're a former nu metal kid just getting into scene metalcore and can't wait for the next Bury Your Dead album, Too Pure to Die's Confess is perfect for you. Otherwise, this is a half hour you won't want to suffer through.
Bury Your Dead; Stick to Your Guns; Atreyu; Slipknot
myspace.com/toopuretodie (http://www.myspace.com/toopuretodie)