By Jared Saleski
In 2006 I saw a band at Peabody’s with Darkest Hour and had no clue what in the world i was witnessing. A down-tuned monster of a band with a built guitar player playing some of the most punishing guitar riffs I had ever heard. And that was the start of my fascination with the negative punishing beast know as The Acacia Strain. Each album more a lower tuning, more negative, more pissed off and even less care for its critics than the one before.
The past few years have been a whirlwind of change for The Acacia Strain with new label, new guitarists, and now on the verge of a tour to put to bed one of the biggest feuds in deathcore, this band is out for blood. Death is the Only Mortal was the band’s first album on Rise Records and turned out to be their final with long time guitarist “D.L.” Daniel Laskiewicz. The tempo of the album was perhaps the slowest of their discography and left many including myself unfulfilled.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGOoBT66lT4[/youtube]The album Comawitch is their first with ex-Oceano and The Rose Funeral guitarist Devon Shidaker as well as Richard Gomez. The album features guest vocals from Max Cavalera and is produced by Wil Putney. The album as a whole feels like a great blend of old and new TAS. There are riffs that sound identical to those from Continent along with plenty of new riffs that fit into the typical TAS mold that fans like me have come to know and love. They have kept their deathcore feel while going back to their roots with different hardcore riffs and fast changes that won’t leave you bored. Vincent’s voice is still more deathcore than hardcore and at times its frustrating to not have any clear enunciated lyrics to connect with. But there is plenty to swing your fists, two step, and headbang to. So do yourself a favor and pick up this album! If you are a metalhead or hardcore kid this is for you! And be sure to catch them on their CD Release Tour with The Plot In You as well as on the Eternal Enemies Tour next month with Emmure!
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