Review: Municipal Waste – The Fatal Feast
May 01
Municipal Waste – The Fatal Feast
Review
After taking most of 2011 off to write and record their new album, crossover thrashers Municipal Waste set some high expectations for those looking to get a fix of punk-infused mosh music. It’s a good thing then, that the group’s newest release ‘The Fatal Feast’ delivers that very sucker punch to the neck that fans were waiting for, while at the same time adding a few welcome dimensions to their already established sound.
On the whole, ‘The Fatal Feast’ retains everything that the group is known for: breakneck thrash riffs, frenetic tempos, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, over the top party fueled energy, and all of that forcefully injected into the ears in succinct, under-two-minute doses. In fact, only about four songs out of the seventeen or so on the record push past the three minute mark, but with the amount of energy in each bite, ala the groups hardcore punk songwriting style, every song comes across as filling, regardless of the length. And even if one was to take note of the truncated bits of aural assault, the impression is quickly beaten away as soon as the next track kicks you in the gut. However, one of the welcome new aspects of this album is Municipal Waste’s exploration of expanded songs. They seem to have discovered in songs like The Fatal Feast, that slowing the tempo a little (by Municipal Waste standards, that is), they can allow the thrash riffs some level of open space to create hard-edged grooves and hooks that come through the rhythm more, while still retaining the same punch found in the higher tempo songs. A lesson that can certainly be learned by many bands, and one that the ‘Waste have learned, is that speed can accentuate heaviness in a song, but does not create it on its own.
Those most familiar with the band might first notice Ryan Waste’s slightly expanded guitar repertoire on The Fatal Feast. On this record he seems a tad more lead guitar minded than on previous records, providing more high-stringed thrash licks and even some very respectable solos on songs like Repossession and Authority Complex. In the case of the former, Ryan showcases his Slayer influence with a frenetic solo that Kerry King could be proud of. Although, these added flavors in the guitar work also create the only drawback of the album, which is that there is simply not enough of it. At least a couple of the albums tracks felt like they could have been better serviced with the flair for lead work, but ultimatey this does not do anything to detract from the record as a whole.
Another nice trend for the last two albums now are the tighter productions. While the raw, almost garage sounding recordings suited their sound in the past, it is nice to hear everything solidly tracked and mixed. The bass is punctuates the mix nicely, and Ryan’s guitar tone sounds more naturally distorted this time around, rather than the over-the-top metal distortion heard on previous albums.
All in all, The Fatal Feast provides solid and well polished thrash metal, while at the same time not being too polished to detriment their hardcore punk sound. It provides mosh worthy riffs, energetic vocals, and neck straining tempos that just about any metal fan can drink to.
8/10
