Fat Wreck very rarely get it wrong, and Love Equals Death's new record further goes towards that theory. Featuring former members of Tsunami Bomb and Loose Change, there's an AFI-meets-No use For A name tone to proceedings that keeps this catchy, yet its loaded with darker undertones. And it was produced by knob twiddler extraordinaire Bill Stevenson, so you know it's in safe hands.
The story goes that Fat Mike saw the band live and knew right away they should be added to his label's roster. With a sound hat is clearly influenced by bands such as The Misfits and AFI, there are plenty of dark moments on this record. The cover art, for example, features a small demonic child. She resembles something out of The Ring, so kudos to the make up artist involved! 'Nightmerica' features a number of good songs - opening track 'Bombs Over Brooklyn' and its follow-up 'When We Fall' are dark skate-punk anthems, as is 'Sonora'. And this is when Love Equals Death are at their very best. Chon Travis' voice is perfectly suited to this brand of punk rock and when the band push themselves and the speed, they sound all the better for it.
'Nightmerica' only falls down on tracks like 'Lottery' and the closing 'Truth has Failed' where the band slow things down or try something a little different. And while the band deserve some credit for trying to write a mixed full-lengther - which is far better than peddling out the same four chords for 12 songs - even if in places it doesn't quite work. However, if you're awaiting the new AFI album and getting a little impatient, you could do a lot worse than fill the gap with this.
www.loveequalsdeath.com
Fat Wreck Chords
paul
