Evergreen Terrace - Wolfbiker
Craig Chaney’s clean vocals are Evergreen Terrace‘s best weapon, and they probably know that. They withhold his trademark melodies until the second track; when they hit, it’s like hearing an old friend. For better or for worse, Wolfbiker (High Impact/Metal Blade, 2007) is Sincerity Is an Easy Disguise in This Business, pt. 2. That means melodic metallic hardcore, with Andrew Carey and Chaney trading off dirty and clean vocals.
High Tide or No TideChaney Can’t Quite Riff Like Helmet’s Page Hamilton
Chaney’s vox are so dominant that at times Carey seems like an afterthought. The latter’s presence, though, is generally assertive and well-placed. Breakdowns are less frequent than before, which is just fine. “Where There Is Fire We Will Carry Gasoline” has emotive, epic jangles, but otherwise the band works with the smoothly-firing formula of Sincerity. Thus, no unpredictable, finger-in-the-eye angles like in the early years. Silly song titles are again in full effect, the winner being “Chaney Can’t Quite Riff like Helmet’s Page Hamilton” – which is true but ironic, as Chaney’s thick voice recalls Hamilton’s.
It’s all a little slick, but the songwriting is undeniable. I’m a fan of this sound, and I suspect I’m one of many. You can find this at Interpunk and The End.
