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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)
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Cult Classic is the kind of record that rewards listeners for sticking it out to the end. Since many music writers base their reviews on the first three or four songs of a record, Scarlet might suffer for this – after all, they do kick off the record with arguably familiar metalcore elements, which might get them accused of biting some style from this band or that. To be fair, Scarlet’s sound definitely incorporates things that would appeal to fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan, or maybe Between The Buried and Me. But after a few minutes, Cult Classic reveals a unique spirit – it shows itself to be a moody, passionate record, with lots of characteristics to distinguish Scarlet from their numerous contemporaries.

One such distinction is a clear stoner-rock element. Things get spacy more than a couple of times, especially toward the end of the record. These toned-down interludes seem essential in framing Cult Classic's more 'chug-chug-wee-wee' moments, as well as the dissonant noodling and doodling. Add in a ton of grooves and what you get is a very big, dark, brooding, almost tribal sound, layered with chaotic, coarse textures. Very little of Cult Classic is catchy in terms of traditional pop sensibilities, but it’s so damn heavy and almost hypnotic that listeners will nonetheless be drawn to it.

Part of this record’s success is its excellent pacing. Scarlet never relies on a clever part for too many measures – not one riff is abused, and yet each idea feels thoroughly explored and allowed to run its course. Even the vocals, which are often monotone, mid-range metal screams, take some surprise twists and turns here and there - though not as often as the rest of the music. The guys in Scarlet seem to have a knack for tasteful arrangements, and Cult Classic is a cohesive, deliberate sculpture that reflects a specific and refined collective vision.

This record is a very smooth listening experience. Scarlet take a few risks and wind up delivering a fairly mature, rich full length that is clearly the best thing they have ever done. And while some might dismiss it as just another derivative offering from just another metalcore band, a few good listens will bring Cult Classic's unique qualities front and center. Being in a heavy band these days is like trying to yell to your friend at the other end of a crowded stadium, but Scarlet are dying to get – and hold - your attention. And they’re doing everything possible to do so.



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    Posted by Dyrwen on 2004-08-10 23:00:40
    My Score:

    I'd say the lyrics are what make this CD important and good.

    They're both dark and humorous at the same time. The vocals are very much just passionate dry screams which are sometimes at least understandable as far as the lyrics go.

    The lines: "You are the money hungry prostitute swine. Selling your soul one dollar at a time. You are the money hungry prostitute swine. Open your legs and recite these lines." Really stick out and the rest of their songs are quite interesting overall. The composition of this CD runs well together with another, but again, this is just a uniquely written album, the music however can be a little redundant. It is a good CD, but nothing that great.

    They certainly are much better live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 17, 2004 at 2:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I love this band.
    Here in holland everything sounds like hatebreed kinda stuff...

    That's why I hate Holland

    Posted by GYBE on 2004-04-03 17:18:38
    My Score:

    Zao is really the only band I would go see on Ferret.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 4:23 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    While it's not true they all sound the same, it is true the entire Ferret roster sucks ass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 8:28 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    What the fuck, how do you get the bronx and A static Lullaby in the same fucking sentence you dumb fucker. I fucking hate you.

    - Romeo

    PS I hate A Static Lullaby

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 2:53 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "the bronx sound nothing like a static lullaby"

    Great dude, you started off with naming two bands who aren't really on the label....great dude! keep up the good work.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 at 7:27 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    that last comment obviously posted with no real knowledge of ferret's roster. the bronx sound nothing like a static lullaby, who in turn sound nothing like the break, who sound nothing like blod has been shed. shut the fuck up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 at 5:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    more than fat, more than epitaph, more than drive-in, more than victory, and more than vagrant...every single band on this fucking label sounds exactly the fucking same

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 at 4:29 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Theyre ok on CD, but I gotta say, this band's live performance is pretty awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 2:24 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    who writes home about anything these days?

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2004-03-14 01:09:16
    My Score:

    Eh, this band is decent, nothing to write home about though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 2:43 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    metalcore sucks ass

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 1:50 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "GOD DAMN IT. every single review of every single metalcore band ever says "while this may sound like your run of the mill metalcore, it's not" WELL FUCK THAT"

    i'll drink in agreement to that

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 8:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    sickboi - it's the same Scarlet, but they've progressed/changed/evolved/mutated immensely in their on and off years as a band...and resemble pretty much nothing of their early stuff. I'm not sure if pheer.com still has their mp3 section up, but many years ago they had a few of Scarlet's original songs - they were like six minutes long. - Jordan Pastepunk

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 5:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    fuck heavy metal with bla bla influences

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 3:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Godd record

    Posted by musical-monkey on 2004-03-12 14:57:14
    My Score:

    nympho teens has really scary lyrics

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 2:19 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    stop reviewing hardcore and metalcore on this site, it's lost on the masses

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 2:02 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Is this the same Scarlet from RVA? If so, they suck ass.

    -sickboi
    (and certainly not like NIN)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 1:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is quite possibly the best album this decade! 16 songs of pure addiction that only gets MORE additctive with each listen! To sum up their sound, think what Nine Inch Nails would sound like if they were a hardcore/metalcore band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 12:12 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    reminds me of the great MORSE CODE HEARTBEAT.
    -Janelle

    Posted by some1 on 2004-03-12 11:29:45
    My Score:

    GOD DAMN IT. every single review of every single metalcore band ever says "while this may sound like your run of the mill metalcore, it's not" WELL FUCK THAT

    I saw this band, they had a big electric sign behind them that said SCARLET and lit up periodically. the sign was cool. the band was not FUCK THAT

    Posted by t-rav on 2004-03-12 07:46:00
    My Score:

    More bland metal churned by your friends at ferret!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 7:23 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Haven't heard it, but I'll check it out!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 5:47 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Medio-core

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