Album Review - Cancer Bats : Dead Set On Living (2012)

Toronto natives Cancer Bats hit the big time with sophomore album ‘Hail Destroyer’ back in 2008, a record that put Southern groove back on the map with a combination of metal and punk that was equally ferocious and intense. After several years of hard work, big shows and good times (including a stint touring as Black Sabbath tribute act, Bat Sabbath), the third album from the band, ‘Dead Set On Living’, arrives with a bang. The band have cited 2012 as the year they will ‘quite being bummed out and rip it’, and if this release has proved anything, it’s just that. ‘Dead Set On Living’ will be likely to start riots at shows, because each track has the potential to cause one. It’s that damn good.

‘R.A.T.S’ is a blasting opening track that is full of angst and resentment, showing that the Bats mean business. It’s another anthem for the ‘children of nothing’ (as mentioned in arguably the band’s best song from the album of the same name, ‘Hail Destroyer’), a fist pumping punk song that is powerful and exciting. There are distorted revs of a guitar (that sound remarkably like a motorcycle engine) before heavy riffs tear along with Liam Cormier’s buzzsaw vocals. It’s raw, stoner rock with clear hardcore tendencies.

 ‘Bricks & Mortar’ is another banger that gallops along incessantly, keeping the foot pushed down on the accelerator. The screamed chorus is enormous and glass shattering, Cancer Bats building up a wall of sound. There is clear passionate lyrical content with sheer style. Recent single ‘Road Sick’ is an energetic call to arms for the workingman, with heartfelt wails, punky chords and furious drums. A guitar solo screeches and pushes the song towards the ‘best ever’ Cancer Bats song territory. These first few tracks are a real white-knuckle ride, proving that the Bats have the balls to push the boundaries.

‘Breathe Armageddon’ continues the barrage on the senses with some Southern metal licks and a slow swaying beat. Sludgy riffs combine with thick bass and pounding drums, making this a strong track with a positive sound. Title track ‘Dead Set On Living; slows the pace with a much more understated take on the hardcore/punk edge of the album. It’s a no-frills hard rock song that is both unpredictable and dangerous.

‘The Void’ is 100% old school metal (think a modern Black Sabbath – who coincidentally the Bats have idolised as tribute band Bat Sabbath on a recent tour). The song builds with big distorted chords into slow thunderous riffs. The track coasts along in a slow gear as vocals howl and the guitars assert their dominance. The sound of Pantera filters through as the track nears the end, the potent Southern attitude centrestage. Another single from the record, ‘Old Blood’, is noisy and full force, a real dirty headbanger with brashness. The funky aggression of this track keeps things fun, which is in keeping with the sound of the rest of the album.

‘Drunken Physics’ keeps the balance with fast riffs and venting vocals. The fantastic changes in pace are dynamic and impressive, while the drop into a quiet build at the midway point of the song is a joy to listen to before the meat of the song returns. ‘Bastards!’ is a bludgeoning metal track with wonderful guitar work (with the recognisable Cancer Bats sound drenched through it). Vocals are intense, with guest slots for Dez Farfara (Devil Driver) and Kate Cooper (An Horse) giving the song a different dimension from anything else on the record. It’s a hardcore piece with enough melody to make it stand up and be counted.

‘Rally the Wicked’ is a furious fast punk beast, the guitars just as dirty as the bass is thick, with some excited vocals from Cormier.  It keeps the hardcore passion and continues with the impeccable assault, even at this late stage. Final track ‘New World Alliance’ is something different, feeling gothic, nu-metal and black metal, all in one big melting pot. It strays into territory that the band have yet to visit on any of the past releases, and it’s a surprising and sombre close for this album. It’s dark and bleak, with growling vocals (channelling Alice Cooper and mid-80s glam rock) in a neat modern punk rock box.

‘Dead Set On Living’ is the most accomplished and well-rounded Cancer Bats record to date. If you haven’t yet experienced the power of this band, this is a fantastic place to start.