Album Reviews : Butcher Babies – Take It Like A Man
So, what am I taking and from which man am I taking it? Obviously the title of Butcher Babies‘ new album isn’t meant to refer to anything, it just sounds edgy and hip and makes the teeny bopper fan boys moist for listening to it. Speaking of teeny bopper fan boys, after listening to the album the whole way through, I was left with the faint reek of nu metal in my orifices, but I couldn’t tell from which part exactly. Butcher Babies seems to be either an incredibly light groove metal band, or a less melodic post-hardcore band, but the attitude of nu metal seems to permeate the music, almost as if Take It Like A Man was making out with Soulfly in the corner while thinking about Otep to get itself off.
The instruments on this album are sharply produced, and the riffs come across as crisp and precise. Once listened to a few times, it can be ascertained that a bit of effort was actually put in to ensure that certain riffs didn’t sound too recycled and generic, however this can be lost on the first play through due to the mixing. The drums are competently played and do a good job of accentuating the oft unheard song highlights. The obvious central focus of the band is unfortunately the two frontwomen, who I can imagine came into one of the first band rehearsals unannounced and proceeded to mark their territory with bodily fluids, duct tape and shittily written female aggression. Some women, Angela Gossow being a notable example, can rock screaming harder than men. These two can’t. They essentially heavily wheeze and grunt over the band with unearned gusto, which is a real shame, because it seems like the rest of the band were forced to reign it in to make way for…this fiasco.
The album opens up with the clichéd attempt at Maria Brink style carnival appeal in “Monster’s Ball,” but fails to be anything but laughable. Butcher Babies takes a shot at more thrashy territory in “Igniter,” “The Cleansing,” and “The Butcher,” but ultimately gets crushed under the mandated amount of female whispering, faux-creepy passages and corny lyrics. “Gravemaker” is one of the better songs on the album, as an almost Gojira-inspired groove procession and some genuinely cool ambiance. “Thrown Away” tones down everything for a soft, angsty ballad, but it’s alright I guess. The rest of the album throws in the towel and just succumbs to the temptation of having steamy public restroom affairs with nu metal while trying to maintain the pretense of “real metal.” “For the Fight” is a decent rock song, but it isn’t anything we haven’t seen before in the past.
Take It Like A Man is at best an average “neo thrash” album with an palpable sales gimmick that maintains but does little to inspire, which is sad considering there is obvious talent being stifled behind the two show boating female leads’ irate stench. Sure, both Heidi and Carla are hot, but in this day and age isn’t every female metal lead? A metal band with a gimmick, in most cases such as this, can’t be a selling point. Now excuse me, I’m off to listen to Babymetal.
About Benjen Merritt
Benjen is a qualified teacher residing in the south-east suburbs of Perth. Benjen was introduced to hard rock at the age of 12 with Papa Roach's "Love-Hate Tragedy," and has developed a love for hard rock and metal since. He also has a keen interest in gaming and almost every fandom imaginable, from Doctor Who to Deadpool. He can be followed on Twitter @thetoadmodeRelated Posts
Latest News
-
Pioneering Aussie metal drummer Matt ‘Skitz’ announces 2021 national tour.
One of Australia’s pioneering metal drummers, Matt ‘Skitz’ Sanders (Damaged,...
- November 14, 2020
- 0
-
Be’lakor tease new album studio updates.
Melbourne’s Progressive Death Metal masters, Be’lakor has recently dropped new...
- November 14, 2020
- 0
-
Psycroptic release details of upcoming EP “The Watcher Of All”.
Tasmanian death metal masters, Psycroptic have unveiled their latest single...
- November 7, 2020
- 0
-
Chaos Divine releases their brand new album ‘Legacies’.
Perth progressive metal masters, Choas Divine has released their long-awaited...
- October 21, 2020
- 0
-
Tyr and Arkona reschedule Australian tour dates for 2021.
Overdrive Touring, the crew behind the upcoming Týr and Arkona...
- October 21, 2020
- 0
-
Heavy metal comedian, Steve Hughes releases debut solo album.
Australian comedian and heavy metal drummer, Steve Hughes has recently...
- October 21, 2020
- 0
-
In Malice’s Wake unleash ‘The Blindness of Faith’ music video.
Melbourne thrash icons, In Malice’s Wake, have unleashed their latest...
- September 25, 2020
- 0
-
Victorian premier, Dan Andrews announces $9 million live music venue grant.
Daniel Andrews, premier of Victoria has recently announced a $9...
- September 25, 2020
- 0
-
King Parrot release new single “Nor Is Yours” featuring Phil Anselmo.
King Parrot have released ‘Not Is Yours’, their latest single...
- September 22, 2020
- 0
-
Orpheus Omega release fan favourite playthrough videos.
Melbourne metallers Operhus Omega has been busy on social media...
- September 21, 2020
- 0
Like us on Facebook
Album Reviews
-
El Colosso – Forgotten Ancestors
Another heavily underrated local act, this Melbourne band has...
- Posted 4 years ago
-
Markus Saastamoinen – Puzzle Pieces
A little background on Markus Saastomoinen: he is a...
- Posted 4 years ago
-
Plini – Impulse Voices
The new album from Sydney instrumental guitar prodigy Plini...
- Posted 4 years ago
-
HJELVIK – Welcome to Hel
Ex-Kevelertak frontman Erlend Hjelvik is about to open the...
- Posted 4 years ago