Album Review: Neck of the Woods “The Annex of Ire”
Written By: Bo Mendez and Marissa Ann
If you’re anything like the Bloodlines team, you’re wondering what to do with your spare time as you face whatever length of self/employer-imposed exile while the world faces down the coronavirus pandemic. Well, as we look at this unintended byproduct of our world of international exchange, you can be thankful for one thing that has crossed national boundaries to tell you exactly what you can do with 38 minutes of the quarantine in front of us: bang your fucking head.
Vancouver progressive death metal act Neck of the Woods follow up 2017’s already strong The Passenger with the long awaited album The Annex of Ire, a twisting and turning journey of progressive melodic death metal. Searing dual-guitar riffs mesh with discordant walls of sounds amidst a backdrop of labyrinthine bass passages and complex drum barrages on this outing that shows that NotW is a band to watch in 2020 and beyond.
On this release, the band has tremendously stepped up to the challenge as a heavy metal band as well as musicians with the progressive nature of The Annex of Ire. The new record is nuanced by grindcore, thrash, and even post-hardcore. Each track tells a story relevant to the listener’s circumstances and the offerings of life’s lemons as debuted in the lead single, “The Annex of Ire”, which was accompanied by a narrative music video professionally written, directed and filmed by R. Zawistoski based on a concept by vocalist Jeff Radomsky. The music video for the album’s self titled album track is proof that Neck of The Woods mean business and do not limit themselves to any sub-genre.
The Annex of Ire is made for the most violent of mosh pits. Drummer Jeremy Gilmartin’s double kicks are recorded and performed with the utmost technique to pair with consistently timed cymbal crashes. Jeff Radomsky’s vocals are raging roars that garnish this refined and forceful new record. Guitarists Dave Carr and Ron Hollaway deliver everything from Scandinavian-influenced melodeath riffs to finger-knotting progressive runs to swaggering dissonant passages fit for Remission or Leviathan-era Mastodon. Through all this, Bryan Gobbi strays from any suggestion of the “pedal the root” approach to bass with intricate playing that often veers into the atmospheric. As crushing as the album is, it’s not without dynamics, making frequent use of these more open moments and haunting acoustic interludes.
Bloodlines once had the awesome opportunity to see Neck of The Woods live at Gold Sounds in Brooklyn, NY and you will be glad to hear that their records sound the same LIVE! They are not just a seasoned band on the rise; they are performers in constant sound wars on stage, with a sound parallel to agonizing battle shouts that have sent venues into a frenzy. Neck of The Woods are being heard and are not to be reckoned with. The Annex of Ire debuts a band dynamic they have long worked towards to create an album that takes metal to a burgeoning new level.
Metalheads seeking thoughtful written guitar solos, melodic guitar chord picking, tasteful tones, mesmerizing hooks and riff progressions, hints of classic rock guitars and ground shattering drums, matched with strong metal vocals can look no further than Neck of The Woods’ new album The Annex of Ire AVAILABLE NOW. Check out tracks “Vision Loser”, “Skin Your Teeth”, and “Crosshairs Will Shift”.
ALSO, You can check out Derek’s interview with Neck of The Woods from 2018 RIGHT HERE!
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