A Snow Capped Romance

by

36 Crazyfists

Edit

Alaskan born and bred 36 Crazyfists have a sort of bipolar sound led by the nearly incomparable vocals of lead singer, Brock Lindow. His manic-depressive range and tone in his ever-passionate vox span from brutalizing, rapid-fire hard-core screaming to beautifully elongated, raspy melodic crooning. His vocal stylings and sound are utterly mesmerizing, falling in a parallel dimension between System of a Down's Serj Tankian and From First to Last's Sonny Moore.

Brock's vox are complimented brilliantly when coupled with Steve Holt's eerie, hard-hitting, and at times, surrealistic guitar runs and effects. The cohesiveness and compatibility of Brock's vocals and Holt's guitar are reminiscent of Cold's Scooter Ward vocals and guitarists, Kelly Hayes and Terry Balsamo in Cold's catalogue, including 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage, (Self-titled), and Year of the Spider. Simply put: they're the perfect blend.

Track-by-track breakdown:

"At the End of August" -

This is the blistering first single off the disc. It's an up-tempo, mosh pit-instigating, fist-clencher, led by fierce Brock nuts-to-acid vox. He quickly transitions smoothly into a melodic hook and chorus, armed with passionate lyricism, backed with staccato riffage, and interjected with an ambient breakdown.

"The Heart and the Shape" -

This track has a punk feel to it. Quick-tempoed and quirky rhythms are carefully laced with Holt's brief high-pitched guitar shards.

"Bloodwork" -

A highly atmospheric, murky soundscape triggers this soaring track, held together with an intricate rhythm and quick disjointed guitar. Brock's vox are truly showcased as his range is shown in holding notes in the chorus. This track runs into a punk-sweetened hardcore offering.

"Kenai" -

Brutalizing, rapid-fire, nuts-in-acid vocals again merge with staccato guitar, and move into a highly melodic hook which is sure to please.

"Skin and Atmosphere" -

An epic track interwoven with memorable lyrics and personified in gripping vocals. Totes a build-up/break-down pace. Brock's soaring vox shine once again in the anthemic, sing-a-long chorus. Holt offers up eerie guitar effects during the punky verses, driven home by thumping drumming.

"Song for the Fisherman" -

Short spoken word track with introspective lyrics and a simple, repeating guitar part that is surprisingly catchy.

"With Nothing Underneath" -

Boasts Brock's best vocals on the disc, coupled with the perfect accompanying guitar. Brock holds notes so long and beautifully with the guitar breaking down behind him that it'll send chills down your spine. Most beautifully sounding lyrics from, "With weary hands and driven nails...the taste of the clean." Epic track.

"Destroy the Map" -

Which will be the released as a single 5.2.05, enlists the services of vocalist Raithon Clay. The vocal chemistry and interplay between Clay and Brock is unreal. This very punky track will be big if given the proper airplay it deserves because it appeals to hard-core, emo, screamo, and punk fans alike.

"Installing the Catheter" -

Quick-tempoed, punkish track, dressed with staccato guitars, fierce multi-faceted drumming, and a majestically eerie breakdown with spoken word guest female vox, provides a great contrast for Brock's screaming to transform seamlessly into passionate singing.

"Cure Eclipse" -

Brock's trademark spastically mad verse vocals run smoothly into melodic crooning. Once again, catchy staccato riffage.

"Waterhaul" -

This caboose track owns a haunting, water-laden intro until the deep bassline kicks in, and then the drumming and vocals lead into a chanting chorus.

With more uplifting, positive lyricism, teamed with a more punk sound and quirkier Brock vox, Snow Capped Romance is a more manic album than the depressing 2002's Bitterness the Star. While brilliant in its own powerful, captivating and atmospheric right, Bitterness dwells on bad relationships while Romance focuses on getting past such. These two albums play antithesis to one another, and BOTH are well worth your ear.

Grab Bitterness when you're at war with the world, but grab Romance when you want to grab the world by the short'n'curlies and make the most of it.

36 Crazyfists' aural onslaught will beat you over the head and steal your Eskimo pie, but will always pick you up afterwards and serenade you back to recovery.

A unique sound. A gripping release. A memorable and passionate offering.