Emmure - The Respect Issue

Band: Emmure
Album: The Respect Issue
Genre: Hardcore/Metal
Label: Victory

Tracks:
1. Young, Rich, And Out Of Control
2. Sound Wave Superior
3. I Only Mean Half of What I Say
4. False Love in Real Life
5. Chicago's Finest
6. Tales From The Burg
7. Rough Justice
8. Snuff 2: The Resurrection
9. Dry Ice
10. You're More Like Friend Without The "R"

When Emmure burst onto the national metal scene with Goodbye To The Gallows last year on Victory Records, many critics quickly wrote them off as another knock off, cliche, metal band. As all of you know, Under The Gun didn't exist then, but if we did, we would have disagreed then and even more so now. This week the band releases their bone crushingly heavy sophomore effort, The Respect Issue and it is sure to not only turn some heads, but set Emmure on the crest of the metal world. It's a fast paced record, clocking in at under 30 min., but I'll be absolutely amazed if it doesn't sit atop many end of the year lists.

The Respect Issue comes packaged with images of TNA Wrestler Kurt Angle in all his menacing glory complete with a mouth guard that says, "violence." If that doesn't set the tone for the album, I don't know what could. The album itself begins with the intro track, "Young, Rich, and Out of Control," which a simple pulsing open drop D chug fest with the band's latest slogan, "There's no more love, trust, respect, or loyalty, product of my enviroment," standing as the only lyrics. After the itnro, Emmure was no time bringing out the big guns with the guitar lead, "Sound Wave Superior," that serves perfectly to get you into the throwdown mood. It's interesting because this song is near the beginning of the album and if it was used early on in a live show it would serve a similar purpose as it is heavy, but feels like a warm up for what is to come. The lyricism of Frankie Palmeri never ceases to be less than at least as egotistical as a hip hop star. For instance, on, "Sound Wave Superior," we find the line, "if this is becoming a man, then I am God like." It may seem over the top, but you know as well I do that kids will eat this up. "False Love in Real Life," one of the first songs released from the album is easily one of the heaviest tracks the band has ever written. The topic is once again about n ex lover [a topic Palmeri seems to visit a lot throughout all Emmure's releases] and carries tones that may lead some to paint the band as misogynistic, but I think it' s more intended to show the pain and anger of lost love. The very next track, "Chicago's Finest," is all about chasing your dreams in the industry and the pain you feel from doing so. It's very honest and heartfelt, but heavy at the same time. Six tracks in we find my favorite track on the entire album entitled, "Tales from the Burg." This is yet another ex lover based tale, but musically and lyrically it's the best song Emmure has ever made. The riffs of Ben Lionetti and Jesse Ketive pull you in while the pounding drum tracks from Joe Lionetti mixed witht he thick bass work of Mark Davis create a sonic atmosphere of great music that you just need to move to. Unlike their previous effort, this song has less closing group chants, but this track does have a few moments were you can almost see an entire crowd screaming along. To really add a new cog to the machine, Emmure have a 3 minute instrumental track tucked into The Respect Issue called, "Dry Ice."The track shows a lighter side of Emmure, but musically it's still very tight and well done. It's the perfect breather before we enter the last track, "You're More Like Friend Without the "R." This closing track finds Emmure using the same gambit they always have, but still managing to make it seem fresh. The lyrics carry the weight of a heart that's grown cold and it builds until it finally closes with the lines, "Time wasted, spent wasted."

The Respect Issue finds Emmure finding their footing on a sound that seems more their own than the series of cliche metal styles used on their previous efforts. It's simply heavy and fast with little room to breathe [minus the instrumental] and what more can you really look for in a hardcore release. This band has all the elements of a band that deserves to be huge in the metal scene, so keep your eyes pealed, because these guys are about to explode.

*Written By: James Shotwell*
GRADE: 8.5/10
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