Review / 200 Words Or Less
Fatal Birth
Self Titled

Twelve Gauge (2012) — Jon E.

Fatal Birth – Self Titled cover artwork
Fatal Birth – Self Titled — Twelve Gauge, 2012

Fatal Birth are a relatively new band. This being their first major release one could assume any number of things from the bands' artwork alone. Presented in a simple black and white sleeve With a dark picture of a hallways and a hanger lying on an otherwise empty floor the band gives off an idea of something sinister.

The record itself starts with a slow building riff followed by a demonic yell and sludgy trudge into the main part of the song and the band only slows occasionally afterwards. There are a couple of the songs that follow this formula mind you even with that they are not over a minute and half long at any point. The band refuses to overstay their welcome. Instead they take cues from early power violence playing nasty a fast as they can. So needless to say, the band is uninterested in subtlety.

The recording remains nasty and grimy throughout. Never allowing any type of light to shine through the music at all. The feeling remains angry and overbearing. Maybe a better word would be suffocating as you can feel the anger seeping through the songs. Overall the band use this to their advantage making the listener feel the anger that they as a band are professing in each song. So if you as a listener are looking for a new band to feed your pv addiction or just need something more angry than most hardcore bands this would be well worth picking up.

7.3 / 10 — Jon E. • March 12, 2012

Fatal Birth – Self Titled cover artwork
Fatal Birth – Self Titled — Twelve Gauge, 2012

Recently-posted album reviews

Roky Erickson And The Aliens

The Evil One (deluxe edition)
Fire Records (2026)

I feel very fortunate to have seen Roky Erickson perform live at SXSW backed by Okkervil River in 2010 or 2011. Erickson passed away in 2019 at the age of 71. For those of you who aren’t already disciples, Roky Erickson was the lead vocalist of legendary Texas psych rockers 13th Floor Elevators. Recorded after the breakup of the Elevators … Read more

Mike D

Thank You
Capitol (2026)

Beastie Boys were a huge part of my transition from teenager into adulthood. An album for every stage of their growth musically matched the many chapters of my own personal development. Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D were like cherished friends for my earholes. The world mourned together when we lost Adam Yauch to cancer in 2012 and were heartbroken knowing … Read more

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more