Filthy Music Review - 'Butcher Babies: Goliath'

Butcher Babies – Goliath (2013)

Century Media

Review by Jude Felton

“If these feelings of remorse won’t cut you, I will”. These lyrics are spat out with intense venom during The Mirror Never Lies on this debut album from LA’s Butcher Babies, and they pretty much sum up what you can expect on this platter. Headed up by the dual vocals of Heidi and Carla, this is one angry album, and one that has been on constant rotation here at the Lair for the past few days.

I actually saw them play live on the current Rockstar Mayhem Fest tour, and was suitably impressed by the sheer goddamned energy of their set. They play music that incites a furious pit, of that you can be sure. Mind you, I was wondering whether or not this energy could translate onto record, but I needn’t have worried. Right from the get-go this is full-on Metal, Thrash and Deathcore all rolled up into one feisty package.

The influences are there for all to hear, with bands such as the mighty Kittie and Otep springing to mind, although it was the rhythm section that surprised me most, with a definite Among the Living era Anthrax sound about it. And, let’s face it, Ian, Benante and Bello threw down some blinding sounds back in the day.

(Butcher Babies live at Montage Mountain, Scranton. Photo by Jude Felton)

Still, even with the influences shining through there is still much of Butcher Babies own touch to enjoy. Obviously the vocals are the first thing to hit you, alternating screams, clean vocals and roars straight from the very pits of hell. Believe me, these girls have one (or two if you prefer) hell of a set of lungs on them.

Goliath is a very accessible album, of that you can be assured, but don’t be lead into believing that it’s one of the disposable variety. Sure, there are plenty of catchy hooks to lure you in, but then you get punched in the face by the heavy as fuck guitar and drum combos. Highlights, for me, are the aforementioned The Mirror Never Lies, Dead Poet, In Denial and the album opener I Smell a Massacre, all of which are terrific. Mind you, I really don’t think there’s a particularly weak track here.

This is good, brutal metal and I thoroughly enjoyed it. People might get drawn to the fact that there are two attractive front-women in the band, but so what? For me that only makes a wonderful contrast to the hurt they unleash in the songs. Fuck the hype and enjoy the music; Goliath kicks ass.

Tracklist:

1. I Smell A Massacre
2. Magnolia Blvd.
3. C8H18 (Gasoline)
4. Grim Sleeper
5. Goliath
6. In Denial
7. Give Me Reason
8. The Mirror Never Lies
9. Dead Poet
10. The Deathsurround
11. Axe Wound

Goliath is available now from Century Media.