Album Review: Day I Die

Melbourne’s Day I Die have been playing all the local haunts for the last four years and after

self releasing their first EP in 2005 they have finally delivered a

follow up, the aptly titled Murderess.

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Fusing the thrashier elements

of modern metal with an obvious love of mid 90’s punk has enabled Day I Die to successfully buck the trends and develop a song writing

style which is both unique and enjoyable.

Opening track “Bottom Of The

Lake” is a perfect summation of what the band is all about. The song’s

first riffs wouldn’t be out of place on a Fat Wreck release

circa 1996 but at the 20 second mark the band shift gears and seamlessly

incorporate some European influenced metal into the mix. I’d refer

to the bridge as a breakdown but I don’t want anyone to get the wrong

idea… so let’s call it a melodic interlude that breaks things up

nicely.

“Blood For Blood” is a great

track and again demonstrates Day I Die’s ability to utilize

their punk and metal influences without everything sounding like a mish

mash of genres. The slower sections of the song really add to the overall

dynamic (without losing any momentum) and the breakdowns still retain

the band’s sense of melody.

Both of the band’s guitarists

show their chops on “Aftermath” but it didn’t grab me as much

as the two previous songs and although “Murderess” makes a promising

start, it doesn’t quite deliver the goods. With its straight up punk

beat and some of the most melodic riffing I’ve heard in a long time,

“The Coven” is my pick of the EP and the song’s mid section sounds

positively evil.

A quality local release that you

should give a spin if you’re a fan of anyone from Darkest Hour

to NoFX.

Album Review: Day I Die - 'Murderess'