CD Review: Abandon All Ships - "Malocchio" (Rise Records)
Dancefloor metalcore merchants Abandon All Ships are back
with Malocchio, their third studio
release, and for those who like their metal heavy yet danceable, look no
further. Malocchio is a staunch
fusion of 808 bumps, Euro-dance interludes and fits of synth-drenched chaos and
chugging double bass blasts, a dynamic vocal aesthetic and staccato guitar
bursts prone to bouts of EDM lunacy (“Reefer Madness,” “Bloor Street West,” “High
Roller”). Hardcores shouldn’t immediately move to dismiss Malocchio either, because as much as these tracks will make you
want to grab the nearest shot off the bar and hit the club to rage, there are
tunes here that flat out thrash and shred (“Trapped,” “Cowboys,” “Malocchio”).
Much of the same could be said of the vocal contributions of frontman Angelo
Aita, whose ability to navigate through the cacophony of sound on Malocchio is rather noteworthy. Malocchio is certainly a unique album,
and while the infusion of copious synth and electronica might turn off some,
it’s better you reserve judgment until you spin it at least once.
Grade: B
Go Download: “Bloor Street West”
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