Suicide Note

Empty Rooms

[3/5]

Suicide Note play hardcore like the Nation Of Ulysses and the Jesus Lizard intended it to be played. All right, so neither of those bands were exactly “hardcore,” but both were experts at distorting pre-conceived notions of the places punk rock could actually go. Especially reminiscent of the former on tracks like "Merci, Mercy," "Social Leper" and "New Eyes," Empty Rooms-Suicide Note’s first proper full-length since 2004’s Too Sick To Dance (Forever Fucked)-is smolderingly rough and somewhat noisy, yet thoroughly rocking. Closer "Black Snow" even brings back the band’s early-Cave In influence that heavily graces their older records. Fronted by Casey Donley’s agitated, discomforting yell, the album stocks versatility in tempos, vibes and pacing but stagnates from a constant onslaught of thickness and dire moods. Still, Empty Rooms evokes a massive aesthetic about itself with a haunting sphere and original climate. (HAWTHORNE STREET) Brian Shultz