Glass Cloud

Perfect War Forever EP

Upon reflection, maybe tech-metalcore unit Glass Cloud should only release mini-LPs. That statement doesn’t come from any kind of quality control commentary, as you’d be hard-pressed to find any kind of filler on the band’s 2012’s debut full-length, The Royal Thousand. Rather, the Virginia-based quartet are positively exhausting to listen to, considering how much they keep everything—musicianship, production, straight-up fucking menace—peaked into the red. The five tracks on Perfect War Forever are the dictionary definition of “relentless,” with bassist Travis Sykes’ and drummer Chad Hasty’s regimented pneumatic-drill precision, Jerry Roush’s throat-shearing proclivities and nine-stringed evil genius Joshua Travis’ ability to make sense out of the five million ideas he has ricocheting in his head constantly. It’s really shocking to hear Roush’s melodic inlets in the middle of “How To Survive Suicide,” when all of the sound around him feels like a suicide bomber walking into the light of someone else’s choosing. “Soul Is Dead” sports moments of loping backbeats and technical/noise prowess that at times feel like the Dillinger Escape Plan playing Eastern Bloc folk music. But the absolute payoff is “I Dug A Grave,” where the band’s understanding of power grooves, ugly detuned chords, jarring noise and rhythmic propulsion pretty much solidify their entire raison d’etre in less than five minutes.

In a day and age of download culture, listeners must keep their standards high, regardless of whatever genres they hold dear. Which is why this reviewer recommends all aggressive music fans and their friends to buy two copies of Perfect War Forever. Because when you think about it, inspired musicians and respectful fans need to work in tandem to keep the cultural bar raised. Do you really want future generations to be influenced by miserable Clear Channel-sanctioned butt-rock and tired metalcore routine? Thought so…

Equal Vision http://www.equalvision.com

“I Dug A Grave”