The Longview Texas four piece Christian hardcore metal band A Bullet for Pretty Boy returns with the follow up to their 2010 Revision: Revise disc with Symbiosis, out July 31st. Formed in 2006 and after touring extensively with Asking Alexandria and We Came as Romans they’re ready for more as they’ll join Demon Hunter; Emery and Sleeping Giant on the high profile Scream the Prayer Tour kicking off June 22nd-July 14th.
Symbiosis is a loud, screamer yet friendly slab of metalcore with ample yelling. The tunes stand strong while throwing weight around, then sit down politely with soft sing melodies the successfully capture a tricky balance of heavy thudding sound waves tag teaming with smooth played atmosphere and vocals without giving the eyeballs proptosis.
Danon Saylor’s throat spends a great deal of time exercising a harsh angry yell intense enough to make you think you owed him money, then transitions to a soft, slow serenading Def Tones like crooner. Fourth track White Noise employs a creepy keyed ending. Half way through the previous track Come Clean Saylor uses an echo effect to even creepier perfection. The song reminds all who’ve walked down that long, dark, smelly tunnel seeing the long distance light ahead, yet hearing the whispering voices of temptation and addiction through the cold exterior, and not knowing what was waiting to jump out along the way, that there IS light at the end of the tunnel.
Illumination captures the soul of a sunken water logged reflection playing notes of haunting despair that leaves a trail of strange distant hope intertwined with lush layered sounds of tranquility and gathering voices swirling in the ethereal depths. Not to worry though, there’s still plenty of romp to spread around the pit as you stomp, kick and mangle your way around throwing yourself full force into the closest sweaty, ugly hot angry angst ridden deviant near you and love doing it. After the Illumination fades away the first 20 seconds of The Grateful Prey hits us with a familiar sounding of Cavalera Sepulturaism and according to Saylor, is the heaviest song they’ve done and lyrically is his own testimony.
Opener Red Medic brings us back to life with human hands but not before we have a life altering spiritual experience. The devil’s definitely in the De(v)tails in whatever bad place you’re stuck in. Reptilian Tongue spits its short message of self-accountability for being judged and perceived by what you say. We end with Self Disclosure giving ourselves deeply and completely, stripped down to our very essence and core.
Symbiosis is a record of musical contrast, experimentation and collaboration, a testament to the bands on-going growth and maturity putting very personal issues and struggles on CD and paper for global delivery.
