Death is Not Glamorous comes at you from the swamps of...Oslo, Norway? Yes, that's right, Norway. The country most well-known for producing myriad Black Metal bands has given us one of the best up and coming melodic hardcore/punk bands currently going. Having released this demo in late 2005, the band has since gained quite a following here in the United States, and signed with State of Mind Recordings (Dead Hearts, and, at one point, This Is Hell.)
If you didn't catch the reference above, Death is Not Glamorous is unabashedly influenced by New Jersey's golden boys, Lifetime. The band keeps the energy going over the course of this five song demo, with upbeat tempos and shouted vocals throughout.
"The Fallback" cracks the demo wide open with absurdly catchy leads, and rhythms that sound like they came directly from a common New Jersey basement in the early nineties. You'll probably catch a few references to The Garden State in this review, and for good reason. The band carries a similar sincerity and honesty in their lyrics and sound, not uncommon in so many NJ band.
Following "The Fallback," Death is Not Glamorous reveals a heavier side with the tracks "Think You Can" and "Close Knit." "Think You Can" call to mind bands like Fastbreak. The song is short, clocking in at just over a minute long. The band lays this song to the tape like their lives depended on it. "Close Knit" brings to mind groups such as Sweden's Satanic Surfers. Fast and heavy, but maintaining a melodic edge. These songs show off one of Death is Not Glamorous' finest qualities, their energy and sense of urgency in their songwriting.
Comprising the final two minutes and ten seconds of the CD is "Assets." The song could be compared to some of Bigwig's earlier material. It's got a main lead that really carries the song and keeps it going at a steady pace. Probably the most melodic of the songs contained here, it's a great way to close the cd.
The only downside I can find with this demo is that it can become repetitive. While the songs are catchy, they can seem to run together pretty easily at times. It's a record you really need to focus on listening to, not just putting it on as background music. It takes a few listens for the songs to really jump out at you, and for some listeners, they might not at all. As Death is Not Glamorous continues to make music, I can see this small strike against them all but disappearing entirely.
With this release, Death is Not Glamorous compiled a demo that makes you feel really good when you listen to it. It's upbeat and positive without being corny. It's aggressive and fast without setting off a massive push mosh. The band's upcoming record for State of Mind should be quite the enjoyable musical experience. I can't wait.
