Rotting Out “The Wrong Way” Album Review
In a city overflowing with bands, it can sometimes be hard to stand out. LA’s own Rotting Out has never had an issue with making their presence known. I found this album to be one of the most interesting I’ve reviewed so far this year. If you think you know what it’s going to sound like, think again. I thought I knew exactly what to expect from these guys and they have done nothing but blow me away. Check out the fill review and info below.
Rotting Out
“The Wrong Way”
6131 Records
available May 7, 2013
The album starts off with the title track, The Wrong Way. From the get-go, I can tell this album is going to sound different than their previously released material. This track is much more punk than hardcore, and I’ve definitely always considered Rotting Out a hardcore band. I love their thrashy side though, so I’m already stoked on this record from just this.
Blade of Rust has a bit more of a hardcore sound, but still has that those punk undertones with the fast guitar and all that shit. Wally could have easily been the vocalist of a punk band and held his ground. They have an old-school hardcore sound versus the hardcore bands that lean more toward metal. However, halfway into this track they go into the slower, hardcore breakdowns that I’m more used to hearing from them.
One More Kiss starts off and immediately I’m thinking this is going to be my favorite track. These dudes can really play and this record is displaying their talent. I’ve watched this band go from a local band to one that is creeping up in the hardcore world and this record proves they deserve every second of the attention they’re gaining.
Now that I’m getting toward the middle of the record, I’m curious as to if any songs will lull or lose my attention. A Question starts, and already, again, I love it. For some reason I particularly love the drums on this track. It’s another song that I feel shows not only their talent as a band, but the high production value of this record. It’s produced so well and is seriously so clean. I love the sing-a-long about two minutes into this one. I look forward to seeing this track live for sure.
Stab crawls in as if it’s the first track of the record. Within 30 seconds, I can divulge this is going to show a different sound from the band. Wally’s vocals really stand out in this one. In no time, he will become every hardcore kids favorite vocalist. I’ve seen them live a few times and I’m fully aware of his stage presence, and hearing this record just makes me eager to see them play these tracks live. My favorite part of this track is 2:40 in, it sounds like a different song all together with this straight up 30 seconds of fast ass punk. So good.
Hitting over the halfway mark, The Shoot Out takes you back to this band’s hardcore roots. The music brings you to a Sick of it All mindset while the vocals are still uniquely Wally. For some reason it reminds me of an “old-new song” if that makes sense. Like they’re putting a new twist on an older-style of song that I really love.
As much as I don’t want to skip specific tracks, if I don’t this damn review will be far too long, so I’m going to go ahead and skip to the final track, Bangarang. But let me tell you, Verbal Risk, No Clue, Roots & Will and Three of Us completely deserve your ears’ attention! After giving the entire record a whirl, I’ve decided that the band they sound the most like is the Cancer Bats, which is a band that I loooove. Liam and Wally have similar vocal styles and it really makes my mind wander over to them while listening to this album. If you’re into thrashy-hardcore punk, you need to get this record now.
If it weren’t for a few tracks like No Clue and Blade of Rust, I would say that Rotting Out just released a punk record and I ain’t even mad. I had the chance to shoot some behind the scenes photos at the studio while the band recorded some of the vocals, so I got a small preview of what the record was going to be like, but even with that, I’m still blown away.
As mentioned, I’ve seen these guys a few times but never really taken the time to listen to any of their recorded stuff. This is the first time I’ve dissected a record they’ve done and I am honestly pleasantly surprised. I didn’t know what to expect but I have to say a part of me was thinking they’d sound a lot like every other good hardcore band putting out records. However, I am eating my words because this is not only a different side of hardcore, but one that I really love. If you have the chance to hire Nick Jett to produce your record, I would get on this shit. That is another piece I am sincerely captivated with. Don’t let this band fall off your radar and if they aren’t on it, then you’re fucking up. Check the links below to keep up with what the band is doing n shit!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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