ELITE:REVIEW
Wednesday 13 - Condolences
Nuclear Blast Records | Release Date: 2nd June 2017
Horror punk icon Wednesday 13’s upcoming 7th album,
Condolences, sees him and his band build upon the
more metal sound that has evolved over recent years.
As well as being reminiscent of Alice Cooper’s darker
Brutal Planet era, more industrial-sounding acts like
Deathstars and White Zombie also come to mind.
Throughout the album, there is a surprising amount of
more hard-hitting hardcore/thrash riffs. Cadaverous and
You Breathe, I Kill could easily be mistaken for being by
Pro-Pain and The Haunted respectively at first but then
Wednesday’s distinctive creepy vocals remind you what
you’re tuned into. What The Night Brings and Good
Riddance are what black metal would sound like if it was
commercialised; using classic effects such as theremin
and organ-like sounds, they incorporate a similar dark
quality but it’s all less demonic and easier on the throat
and ears. The album’s title track is similarly haunting but
its crunchy guitars and dynamic changes make it one
of the more interesting and well written tracks on the
record. You may never be able to attend a funeral again
without reciting its “Sorry for your loss” refrain in your
head. The original horror aspect of Wednesday 13 is still
there, both lyrically and atmospherically, but seems to be
a lot maturer in sound. Cruel To You is the only track
on here which harks back to the more horror-glam-punk
sound he used to be known for, sounding like a twisted
take on a Kiss song. It feels more rushed compared to
the rest of the album but is still fun and memorable.
Condolences may lack lyrical depth in places but is an
enjoyable listen with many infectious choruses and riffs
which will satisfy fans and surprise others.
Words by Jonathan Miller
www.eliteonlinemag.com
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