By
Chad Taylor
soundcheck@dmcityview.com
 Every
Time I Die
‘Ex Lives’
Epitaph
Track
Previews
Every Time I Die isn’t for everyone. It’s true,
from a holistic standpoint, that NOTHING is
for everyone, but the metalcore stalwarts are
more of an acquired taste than most. But for
those with the proper inclination, “Ex Lives”
is a heavy, seething, necessary beast of an
album. New drummer Ryan Leger is a frantic monster
with the sticks, lending the band an energy
and pacing that it hasn’t had in previous efforts.
The result is a collection of metalcore cranked
out at the speed of most skate punk, and the
effect is as stunning as it is unrelenting.
Additionally, front man Keith Buckley’s clean
vocals get a chance to really shine here, which
is an aspect of his game that’s never really
gotten a chance to stretch its legs before.
The band continues to feel revitalized since
jumping to the Epitaph label, and “Ex Lives”
is sure to please fans. CV
(Every Time I Die performs at People’s Court
on Sunday, March 11. $20)
 Microwaved
‘March of the Broken Souls’
Independent
Track
Previews
Good industrial music makes me think of “The
Matrix.” I know this is kind of strange, because
there wasn’t really a ton of industrial music
in “The Matrix,” but sometimes the human brain
makes strange connections. Anyway, I bring it
up only because there’s something about Iowa
native Gabe Wilkinson’s music that makes me
want to cram a kitchen skewer into the base
of my skull (in the good way!) and download
Kung Fu. Nothing on the album is thought-provoking
enough to remind anyone of Throbbing Gristle,
and it lacks the commercial polish of, say Kraftwerk,
but tracks like “Worthless” are bass-heavy,
angry and extremely easy to groove to. If industrial
is your thing, “March of the Broken Souls” is
sure to push you through the last mile of your
workout — or the last hour of that Ecstasy bender.
Your choice, really. CV
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