With two full-lengths and one EP under their belts, Swift have returned with "The Absolute Uncontrollable". The band has promised something completely new and unexpected to emerge for your listening pleasure. Rightly so, as their first two albums clearly lifted a page from the vastly influential catalogue of The Deftones early works (Adrenaline, Around The Fur). And while Swift was able to pull off the characteristic sound with complete competency, it left you hungering for the talented upstarts to press off on a path all their own. The needed metamorphosis began its early stages during the recording of their EP "A Communication Manual" that was penned following the departure of their original guitarist. "Manual" began displaying the band's love for a more traditionally metal tinged edge which was richly accented by their new guitarist's talents. They have since welcomed their initial strummer back into the fold and the dual bladed assault on their new effort appears to be everything the band has ever desired and more.Aptly named, "The Absolute Uncontrollable" delivers its sonic punch right from the get go. Opening track "Charger" kicks off the brutal aggression and never lets up until the classically Spanish acoustic closer "...Built Us A House". Every song in between is a lesson in what it means to be a heavy band and there are plenty out there that should take notes. While in their primitive days they had channeled the spirit of The Deftones maiden productions, they instead have developed the perfect melange of the former's more recent developments along with elements reminiscent of Poison The Well and old school Metallica. Machine-gun guitars blast through the speakers in a barrage of caustic dissonance and unexpected beauty. There are even a few well placed solos interspersed throughout the set. However, instead of sounding gimmicky in a vain attempt to try and gain a sort of nostalgic appeal, they feel entirely necessary and fit the vibe perfectly. Frontman Gary Forsyth shifts effortlessly from terrorizing barks and screams to his captivating monologues and soothing falsetto with so much efficiency that he seems as though he were placed on the Earth for this sole purpose. His style is quickly becoming trademark and could someday find himself in the ranks of other vocal revolutionaries such as Chino Moreno (The Deftones, Team Sleep) and Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle).
Swift have created with "The Absolute Uncontrollable" what could be the album of their career and easily one of the finest released this year thus far. Their seamless patchwork of old school meets new school aggression is unparalleled by anything released to this day. While the scene becomes more and more convoluted with bands attempting this formula, Swift have managed to champion the sound with so much ability that it's almost scary. And while some may not be able to easily digest so much ferocity in one package, those looking for the cutting edge of heaviness need look no further, for the men in Swift have crafted a veritable concept album on the topic.
(5/5)
-RaiNny
hk_newbie said...
dude, send me this album. now.
The Salvage Bar said...
Music journalism is your true calling.
hk_newbie said...
hk_newbie said...
Ah, the wonder of the mad katz products. What WILL they think of next?