Fast forward almost 16 years into a very different time. We've fought the Iraq War, Afghanistan, gained and fought countless enemies overseas... yet the battle on the home front goes on stronger than it ever did. The streets are held hostage. You never know when you may find yourself a victim, or someone else's hero. Indeed, an album for our 'time' has come.
"Urban Warfare" begins with "A Call To Arms" which is just that. The techno / Arabian-esque style beat & sounds set the perfect backdrop for something so anthemic, it's hard to believe this is just the album intro, and a great one at that!
"Unamused" doesn't kick in the way you expect: instead a synth bounces a nice rhythm from speaker to speaker, THEN IT BLASTS YOU with the slamming double bass! The song kills all the way through to the title track, "Urban Warfare."
The choice of samples, and rump-shaking rhythm combined with the growls of Klank, this song will bring you to the dance floor to shake it, but it is still very mosh-able so be careful.
"Bigger Man" is one of those songs that hit you like a ton of bricks! The riff just owns, and the spacey synth on top of it paves the way for some massive heaviness! This is one of my favorite cuts on the album, as it deals with bullies and trying to be the 'Bigger Man' over them. "Alive In Me" is a (dare I say it?) hi-energy dance number that again, is just heavy enough that there may be blood on the dance floor. "Save Me" grinds with the low tuned guitars, and is another favorite on an album that has such an amazing flow from song to song. "Built To Survive" has the industrial overtones with a powerhouse thunder, not unlike "We're All Suspect", another fave with Klank's clean vocal delivery, over what feels like a more classic thrash tune.
"Sick Is The New Sane" makes me think that, by this point in the game, this is the best album from "Klank" even over the debut!
"Stomp You Out" seems to be a positive affirmation of my summation. However, it is the last 2 tracks that etches it in stone!
"Eraser" just slams! Kicking off with a smooth double bass groove, those low tones of the guitar file in order until the song just hammers into your brain and you find it over way too soon and have to hit repeat a couple of times.
The albums closer, "Something About You" almost feels like a heavy version of (dare I say this too?) 'The Killers' with balls! However when the vocals kick in, an unmistakable voice takes the helm. DuG Pinnick lent his talents to top off what is an incredible album with an almost cleansing song. It is the breath of fresh air that you get after some heavy moshing in a crowded pit that gets insane!
I could get more indepth with each track, and analyze each song and dissect them, but this would be a very lengthy review. The themes contained throughout are relatable, and just as certain songs mean more to me due to content - this album is just that, an album! It isn't merely a collection of tracks like most albums nowadays, but has a very precise flow to it. I'll also say this: It is an album I can throw in and not have to worry about skipping a track.
Right now this is in my Top 10 albums of the year so far. If you're a Klank fan already, then you have this - or need it immediately if not sooner. If you're just discovering Klank for the first time, THIS is the album you want right here.
This is another one that gets 3 thumbs up from me.
Order from: www.klanknation.com
Rating: 7 out of 7 Headknockers
