The Bottom Line

Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: Music

Every Time I Die's last album, Gutter Phenomenon features vocalist Keith Buckley, drummer Michael "Ratboy" Novak, guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley, and bassist Chris Byrnes. They have played with Dillinger Escape Plan, Lamb of God, Unearth, and As I Lay Dying. Every Time I Die have taken the subtle Southern riff influence, which can be detected on Hot Damn!, and made it an important element of their sound. Lead vocalist Buckley took vocal lessons to expand his range that now tends to be steering ETID to a more mainstream sound. This album is more mature but they haven't lost their notorious sense of humor, their sarcastic lyrics nor have they given up their crazy on-stage antics. As for the record's stand out tracks, there's "Guitared and Feathered," a prototypical Every Time I Die song. "The New Black" kicks off with the sound of a beer can being cracked open, while "Champing at the Bit" has 4-part harmonies. It is disappointing if you're mostly into the "Last Night In Town" era Every Time I Die. Overall, if you're fan of older hardcore/ metalcore stay away from this and stick to their older stuff. But if you can stand the clean vocals and the "party lyrics" you will enjoy it.

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