Review Summary: A thrash album that has all the ingredients, talent-wise, to produce a stellar release. They combine the ideas and skills of The Blood Brothers, The Locust, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs in their initial self-titled EP.
Everyday there are people who dream of a coalition of their favorite musicians in one band. Some may have found their dream group with The Sound of Animals Fighting that consists of members from: Rx Bandits, Chiodos, Circa Survive, and Finch. On the other hand, some may look to Deltron 3030 as their super group of hip-hop artists. Well, if you are into thrash and a fan of The Blood Brothers, The Locust, and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs you may have found your band in Head Wound City.
The five combine the elements of the Locust and early Blood Brothers to create a crafty display of thrash music. While there are little resemblances of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Nick Zinner brings a different helping to the record with spastic guitar work. In fact, this record was recorded in a week’s time that could produce interesting results. However, it does run under ten minutes, which may have lead to the short writing and recording time. One week is all they needed to create a lightning fast explosion of intricate instrumentation.
I've got these radical friends broken lips, rainbow violence pink clouds on a razor mountain, we're running through a city of head wounds,h olding hands night frowns in the city of head wounds, so take my head yeah? yeah! load up your love radical friends! they're my pink clouds on a razor mountain top.
Head Wound City is different from some dysfunctional bands. They have a strong bond between band members. When the nucleus is strong, it makes writing easier because you can build off similar ideas. “Radical Friends,” is the title of the opening track that sums up the relationship between band-mates and what to expect throughout the record. They have always wanted to do a project together but only recently had the opportunity to create such a project. It begins with feedback; the most irritating noise in the world unless your ear is trained to withstand it.
I’ve got these radical friends! embraces the initial musical start of “Radical Friends.” It continues with quirky guitar and bass work along with pummeling drums leads the anthem of their band into the rest of the EP.
So you've aced the prick class: moustache for extra credit. dumbing up to the privileged. Pretty sweet. You pleased your parents. The punch lines perfect; It never grows old: the lack that only grows in lives you'll never know. C'mon laugh till you choke! Fuck!
The witty lyrics of resentment stated above add to the brilliant thrash gem “Prick Class.” This song is easily the most accessible song on the album, which is a rare commodity among the genre. It begins with what sounds like a non-electronic Locust song quickly turns into their unique sound with slow riffs of hardcore elegance. Feedback enters and the song comes to a tranquil halt. It slowly begins to chug upwards until the final lyrics are sung and then it ceases.
We spent the night locked in the thrash zoo! we spent the night locked in. The thrash zoo! elegant hands knit delicate plans, pissing nonsense again. Dicks keep on coming: mouths keep on going, crank up the bullshit to ten. Keep gnawing
Gross. “Thrash Zoo” is exactly what I expected; a medley of chaos that churns and twists in a sick aurora of, well, thrash bliss. “Thrash Zoo” left me wanting more from this Head Wound City. The rest of the EP is filled with all of the above characteristics and this can leave you with a feeling of “what just happened?” I'm not sure, but I am sure not to forget what it sounded like.
Every time I think about this album, it occurs to me it took one week. Just one week for five guys to come up with a brilliant debut EP. Yes other bands have tried similar feats with a longer time span but did they play together before?
So you've aced thrash class: Head Wound City for extra credit.
