Review Summary: Head-Splitting
It seems that ETID took a turn for the worse back when they released Ex Lives. The album opened with the classic line “I want to be dead with my friends”, which succinctly set the tone for the next 12 tracks. From Parts Unknown kicks off with the pantydropper, “Blow your ***ing brains out”, which again gives a taste of the album. Out of context, lines like these would seem angsty and clichéd, and written for shock value. However, ETID presents these ideas with a tone of serious authenticity.
While the New Dirty and Gutter Phenomenon were far from comforting, this is a new low. And after a 13 year decline, one might wonder if ETID will ever pull out of this slump. More likely, however, is that they’ll take Keith’s advice and we’ll find bits of skull scattered around Buffalo.
As with Ex Lives, From Parts Unknown is more relentless than earlier work. ETID has gotten such a stranglehold on dissonance that they hardly leave room to breathe. Even Keith seems to have gotten shriekier over time. The overall sound tends to blend into an astringent, hammering drone.
Some songs, like Thirst or All Structures should simply get skipped over, as they could beat aspirin right out of your veins. Other songs however, are a lot more enjoyable and make up for the unpleasantries of the overall sound. El Dorado, Old Light, and Decayin’ With the Boys deserve a listen even if you gave up on ETID after Ex Lives.
