Review: Diamond Plate - Generation Why?

Diamond Plate
Generation Why?
Earache

A few Diamond Plate fans are up in arms about what they heard on a couple sneak peeks tracks of the bands upcoming album Generation Why?. Complaints lit up the forums about the vocals sounding too metalcore (?) as well as the sound of the music taking a similar direction.

After listening to the new album, I can say that some of the expressed fears of the band's direction are realized as there is a decidedly "core" influence on some of the tracks. Songs such as Tomb with a View seem to have more in common with Earth Crisis than Slayer or Exodus.

However, if you are taking away that this review is a Diamond Plate bash-fest, you are mistaken. Killer bad-ass metal is still killer bad ass metal no matter what bits and pieces are added, and Diamond Plate drives that point home with Generation Why?.

At its heart, Generation Why? is a thrash record. Riff-heavy goliath songs such as Waste of Life and Empire Tomorrow are galloping shreds of savagery. In fact, the latter song alone is worth buying the album, because those looking for thrash metal played with passion and precision, Empire Tomorrow is destined to become a classic.

Generation Why? is a damn good metal album. Those who are into classic, undiluted thrash metal might feel the need to stay away, but I wouldn't recommend doing so. Speaking as a thrash fan, Diamond Plate's musical prowess, killer riffs and success in writing quality metal music should overstep the pride of a thrash purist.

Does that mean that every song on the album has to be your particular cup of tea? No, but the ones that are will kick your ass hard.

Review: SSS - Problems to the Answer

SSS
Problems to the Answer
Earache

Typically, with crossover thrash, one can think of old school punk-infused groups such as D.R.I. and Cryptic Slaughter, or newer bands such as Municipal Waste, In Defence, and Blunt Force Trauma. With these and other bands similar to their specific styles, some may tip closer to punk, some may mix more metal, and some will go straight-up hardcore.

However, in the case with SSS, as demonstrated on their most recent album Problems to the Answer, the scales tip every which way, from full-on punk, to hardcore, grind, and thrash metal. One song may be pure to one of these genres while the next may incorporate them all seamlessly, without stumbling or feeling disjointed, proving that SSS are the very definition of modern crossover.

For over 40 pummeling minutes, SSS tears through short and sweet numbers such as Birdshit and Laughing Leads to Crying. Just before the music risks stumbling into repetition of blazing beats and swift barks, SSS hits us with "longer" cuts such as the headbanging Eat Me Burn Me Drink Me, which main riff sounds like a killer 90s Napalm Death breakdown.

Those looking for a bit more riffage in their crossover can find monster and catchy guitar work in songs such as Tales Out of School and Dismantle the Dream.

To use a variety of genres and manage to give them a unified sound is SSS's best accomplishment as well as a testament to their abilities in writing a brand of heavy music that utilizes each of them to make Problems to the Answer a success.