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Drowningman

Don't Push Us When We're Hot (2005)
Thorp Records

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 11th 2005

Drowningman seems like the type of band perfect for any follower of heavy music that finds most tech hardcore/metal bands a bit too brutal. Similar to the technique used by sure followers All Else Failed, incorporated by Drowningman into their sound are well-integrated, more emotional segues. While there are countless metal(core) outfits relying on cheesy melodic singing and abruptly sugary choruses to either ensure hooks or provide a changeup from full-throttle screaming, the Vermont-based five-piece is wholly different. This is likely due to the fact that the band's normal vocal delivery is an anguished, throaty yell, while the same singer handles the more affected moments without whimpering or breaking into artificial tears. It's a fluid, well-connected display of pacing and interchanging heaviness on the band's newest full-length, their Thorp debut Don't Push Us When We're Hot.

Throw Snapcase and sprinkles of early Dillinger Escape Plan (with whom they've released a split) into a blender, and you just may have a rough idea of what's being served up on Don't Push Us. However, while there are certainly elements of tech bands like Dillinger running through them, things are usually a bit more stripped down. Songs like "John Cougar Mellencamp is the White Devil" prove that the band may be a bit more reliant on influences like the former mentioned than past efforts on labels ranging from Hydra Head and Revelation to Law of Inertia and Equal Vision. Even when the technical aspects are there, they usually aren't so obvious. Tucked under the relatively straightforward "Dude Status: Revoked" is a riff that should sound distant from the otherwise simple structure overlying it, but somehow fits in fine.

Vocally, lead singer Simon Brody is fairly similar to Bane's Aaron Bedard, with sporadic moments heavily resembling said band (see suddenly up-tempo moment in "Dude Status: Revoked" with layered chants of "how long has it been?! / it's so good to have you back!").

"Today's Special: Still Beating Hearts" is one of the more completely warmer tracks, and acts sort of as an early interlude to ease the listener away from an album slightly more complicated in areas. "White People Are Stupid" is a standout, with its flawless time changes that continuously bounce back and forth, and a breakdown proving the band's attitudes haven't at all been lost to complete seriousness, sounding rather threatening with a small gang vocal chant of "if you know what's good for you, you'll shut your fucking mouth!" only until a female guest vocalist closes it out adding "you'll shut the / fuck up!" "Drowningman Dance Party, Bring Your Own Bodybag" is one of the more ambitious tracks, aggressive throughout, but moderately subduing for dueling guitar riffs and effective gang shouts.

Even while there's what sounds like a battle between simplicity and complexity on Drowningman's Don't Push Us When We're Hot -- and an enjoyable combat at that -- there's a wonderfully positive vibe (perhaps Shai Hulud-like) that seems to nearly always underlie it. It's a surely intimidating album that somehow simultaneously reels in the violence, and thus makes for a definitively interesting listen.

MP3
White People Are Stupid

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GreenVandal (October 13, 2005)

The Panic! in the disco review has some monkeys fighting over a bannana. I love being cynical.

I want to hear this.

CherryColaRain (October 12, 2005)

Oh, and I just thought I'd point out... Its been a while since I heard some weird ass much talk about how this is PUNKnews and not Metal or Hardcore news. I miss them. It was like watching Monkeys fight over the last banana.

CherryColaRain (October 12, 2005)

This is really really good. hey Brian has always written good reviews, have you seen the Cave In review "Perfect Pitch Black"? exellent. I can hardly remember the days when I faintly liked Drowning Pool over Drowningman...what a lost lil boy I was.

Anonymous (October 12, 2005)

i just have to say that the thought (havent heard it yet) of some girl saying you'll shut the fuck up is really really hot. 23

- nick

Anonymous (October 12, 2005)

everyone wants to pretend they are an expert.

that is i why everyone complains and critiques reviews.

OMG U DONT KNOW REAL EMO

OMG THAT ISNT HARDCORE

OMG THATS NOT MATH ROCK

Anonymous (October 12, 2005)

"So you guys bitch when someone with a vehement bias reviews a longtime favorite and gives it an automatic 5 stars, but when someone approaches a band completely free of a previous slant you still complain. Come now.."

Nobody is asking for a fanboy review, but a little knowledge of the past works would give credibility to the reviewer.

colton (October 11, 2005)

Brian liiikes hardcore, nanananananana.

GreenVandal (October 11, 2005)

look at old man Brians eye twitching...

;)

sickboi (October 11, 2005)

Hah! Brian's finally cracking!

inagreendase (October 11, 2005)

How about a reviewer that has actually heard the previous Drowningman albums???

So you guys bitch when someone with a vehement bias reviews a longtime favorite and gives it an automatic 5 stars, but when someone approaches a band completely free of a previous slant you still complain. Come now..

RondoMondo (October 11, 2005)

Your review is pretty good for this. But they were around before DEP, so...they've been kind of doing the same thing for a while. But, I'll pick this up when I go to Best Buy.

Score is for "The Truly Dangerous Nature Of A Man Who Doesn't Care If He Lives Or Dies" off of Rock and Roll Killing Machine.

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

How about a reviewer that has actually heard the previous Drowningman albums???

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

I want to like this, but the production on it is horrible. I mean, I've never heard such a flat recording.

thirtyseconds (October 11, 2005)

Does the nu metal thing seem like a really bad dream to anyone else? Like it didn't really happen? That MP3 is OK.

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

i need to give this a few more listens, but thus far i'm underwhlemed. i'm a big fan of their older stuff, particularly how they light ciggaretes in prison and rock & roll killing machine, but simon's voice sounds really off here and the music isn't nearly as inventive or engaging.

i change my opinion a lot though, i might find myself liking it in a few more listens.

ramo (October 11, 2005)

I heard a couple of songs from this album. And while they may not be as great as Rock And Roll Killing Machine or their last EP Still Loves You, it still sounds decent enough for me to check out their latest full length. While D-Man isn't really D-Man, Simon Brody can still rock it.

Ramo

Nick_V (October 11, 2005)

In response to the mall-metal inquiry -

You're thinking of Drowning Pool. I'm so glad that nu-metal has been assigned to Terri Schaivo status.

the_other_scott (October 11, 2005)

i know you fuckers are going to make fun of me for this

but i always thought drowningman was one of those mall metal bands like puddle of mudd or something of that sort

who is that band i'm thinking of?