The Big Dirty: +DVD by Every Time I Die

dirty

ETID bring it and bring it hard. My favourite album of theirs. Best accompanied with a cold beer n volume cranked up loud.

Love this!!! Such a superb album from a really fantastic band, great driving music

Every Time I Die (ETID) are a New York quartet who specialise in a unique brand of high-octane metalcore. Instead of relying on generic darkside influences and basing their music purely on hardcore and deathmetal instrumentation, ETID infuse elements of dirty southern rock which adds a distinctive and nasty tasting touch to their output. One thing that metal fans don't like is monumental shifts in musical direction. `The Big Dirty', the fourth full length by ETID, and will satisfy current fans as it continues their musical progression from a slightly raw band brimming with ideas to a slick and sharp metal machine who can shift melodies and switch rhythms effortlessly. Production duties are undertaken by Steve Evett's (Dillinger Escape Plan) who masterfully maintains ETID's gritty and menacing garage-rock dynamics yet wraps it up in a bouncy and crystal clear package which keeps the foundations of what ETID are originally about, fully intact.What ETID do so effectively is that they play around with tempo in order to generate energy and to create a vision of epic-ness. The band tend to play at break neck speed and continue pushing the boundaries of their personally forged, ferocious, groove based p(f)unk rock metal.Tracks like "Rebel Without Applause" and "We'rewolf" are kept fresh by suddenly breaking into semi-clean (but not in a whiney emo way) singing underpinned by angular and druken melodies which shift seamlessly into crunchy satisfying breakdowns which are complimented by heartfelt and rasping poetic one-liners. ETID were always adept at crafting witty, and at times stirring lyrics. This is another area that has progressed, and not just in content matter, but in the versatility of Keith Buckley's lyrics. It is clear that ETID write songs around their lyrics rather than visa-versa.Track 7 "Rendez Voodoo" showcases a confident ETID that has matured its song-writing and its vocal abilities. A chugging, bouncy and oscillating groove is complimented by lightning guitars, skittering drums and clean(ish) vocals which are harmonised at certain moments. The track meanders through a series of randomly timed groove based melodies and chugging breakdowns which makes this track an instant stand out, and probably a new fans initial favourite. The Closer, "Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Battery" is another exercise showcasing ETID's rousing high-octane battle-core which is joined by a catchy vocal melody in the chorus. Although many "true metal" fans tend to be put off by clean vocals and catchy grooves, ETID carry it off in such a way as to compliment and vary their highly authentic sound rather than "sell out", although one can imagine that they will gain more fans by utilising this song writing formula.This 12 track 35minute album is one of ETID's most (relatively) varied offerings. It is also probably their most brutal due to their improved ability in timing and crafting breakdowns which energises and brutalises proceedings. This album will seem like a blur after one listen but repeated listens will bring out the its full glory. Tracks from "The Big Dirty" are sure to bring a memorable experience to anybody who is lucky enough to see it played live. It feels like it has been written with the crowd (and the pit) in mind, and for those who purchase now, a limited edition DVD will showcase the effectiveness of their live rabble-rousing performances.For fans of: Imagine Hopesfall or Glassjaw have been steadily raised on a strict diet of Scissorfight and Nora albums.

After Gutter Phenomenon I was a little unhappy and thought that maybe ETID had lost it a bit. There was something I didn't quite like about it. I'm not saying it was a bad album but it just wasn't classic ETID. It was a bit of a shift after Hot Damn!, and it was not really a shift that was needed. I loved the mental crazy disjointed and off the wall sound of Hot Damn! and Last Night in Town, which seemed to have given way to rockabilly, and guest vocals from people who just don't fit with the ETID way.However The Big Dirty has made up for the slight dip in quality. This album still has that Dirt Rock sound, however it seems to have captured some of the old ETID again. Keith's vocals and lyrics are brilliant and funny as usual.I was listening to this album in my car yesterday and couldn't help but open my windows and turn the volume up and head bang whilst driving. There is so much power in the guitars and the vocals and so many catchy little riffs and choruses its brilliant. This album will actually move you, and I don't mean in a crying to Titanic kind of way when Leo dies! I mean you'll jump around like an idiot and hurt yourself.You gotta buy it for that reason. Although I'd advise you to look into buying it from Ferret's website as you can get a free T-shirt and you get the bonus DVD edition. I'm wearing my free t-shirt now!!!Back on form.