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Cancer Bats

Birthing the Giant (2006)
Canadian Info

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

Published on June 9th 2006

This album is fucking huge. I think I broke a sweat just listening to it.

Toronto’s Cancer Bats have made a name for themselves by touring relentlessly across Canada and the United States despite not yet having a proper release. Until now, those who haven’t caught a show or somehow managed to get their hands on recorded material through other means haven’t been able to listen to one of Canada’s fastest growing bands. The release of Birthing the Giant promises to change all of that.

Birthing the Giant closely follows the spirit of Cancer Bats’ previous recordings, which are a series of CD|EPs as well as a seven-inch on coloured vinyl with handmade sleeves -- a real treat for those who got their hands on a copy. Its 11 tracks are vicious blends of hardcore, punk, and metal, largely thanks to the musical experience of many band members. Middleton played in Toronto metal act At the Mercy of Inspiration, bassist Andrew McCracken plays in the traditional hardcore band Urban Blight, and drummer Mike Peters was recruited from Figure Four and also played in Rogue Nation.

For a band known largely for their stage presence, it’s crucial that their album embodies that aspect of their craft. From the first seconds of Birthing the Giant’s opener, "Golden Tanks," it’s clear that such a problem isn’t going to arise. Every note and lyric is performed with the desperation that at any second their gear might be unplugged and taken away, and things hardly let down through the album’s 11 tracks.

Cormier’s vocals are spit out in a vicious yet fraught manner although he’s not screaming, and you can understand most of what’s coming out of his mouth. Meanwhile, Middleton provides a huge variety of riffs and constantly pushes the songs forward, sometimes into more melodic territory than the band is used to, but at other times into more aggressive moments than we’ve heard before. The energy coming out of this album is relentless, and it will be interesting to see how it translates to the stage where Middleton’s guitar flair will have more time to shine, hopefully leaving audible the technical aspects of the songs which make a strong appearance on Birthing the Giant.

What has always made Cancer Bats stand out is that nobody can ever label them as anything but original. Sure, they’re not the only ones making aggressive punk/metal-inspired music, but they put their own stamp on it, and it’s a sweet stamp!

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drbino (April 11, 2008)

It's an ok album, but i think there realy are a lot of better bands out there playing this kind of stuff. Not something to write home about.

Kursk (September 8, 2006)

This CD is fucking incredible, THE best hardcore album I've heard in the past couple of years. Its been a while since I've been so struck by a band on the first listen.

clampdown17 (July 30, 2006)

also, i forgot to add that i get a very Danzig vibe from alot of these songs, circa the first Danzig record.

clampdown17 (July 30, 2006)

The album is pretty good, especially the first 3 or so songs. From what I've head though these songs mostly seem like they need to be experienced live.

treos (July 23, 2006)

hate the vocals but this cd has some crazy riffs and a kickass rockin sound

TheWise (June 29, 2006)

This band is dreadful.
Just terrible.

moneenerd (June 13, 2006)

I hate how every punk rock or hardcore act that comes out that has any kind of rock n roll/southern lord metal tinge to it gets compared to either The Bronx or Suicide File. The Bats sound like neither. The ETID influence is definately there, but Bats are far less whiney and trendy.

In my opinion, this band is more comparible to the likes of maybe Brother's Keeper mixed with Motorhead.

Anonymous (June 12, 2006)

"this band really reminds me of a sobered up, cleaned up every time i die."

first time i heard them i thought the same thing

Anonymous (June 11, 2006)

Sounds like a rehashed Bronx??
are you fucking retarded?

seriously.

this band is going to blow up.

-Bryan Styles

Anonymous (June 10, 2006)

bad review in my opinion.
the album doesnt do the live show justice, but it's still great. this band really reminds me of a sobered up, cleaned up every time i die.

feeeding5000 (June 10, 2006)

Probably among the top 10 band names ever...
( along with Econochrist, Fucked Up, Bathtub Shitter, etc.)

moneenerd (June 10, 2006)

Also, other than their covers, every Bronx song sounds exactly the same. Not that thats a bad thing! Just kinda weirded out that you would say The Bats ripped em off!

moneenerd (June 10, 2006)

The Bronx? You serious?
I mean, i can sorta see it, but The Bronx was pretty much Suicide File without the politics.
The Bats sound like neither.

Anonymous (June 10, 2006)

The look, the name, the steez, and the sound, are all a second rate rehash of The Bronx.

burningfeeetman (June 9, 2006)

So, I just checked them out. I'm fairly impressed. I almost saw them opening for A Wilhelm Scream one time, but I showed up just after they finished.

JoshCBFL (June 9, 2006)

"How Come Canadian are better then faggot Americans?"

It's because of higher taxation.

moneenerd (June 9, 2006)

"If ain't sweet, I don't see a point."

"Here's to the prettiest girls with the brains that work."

"This is my dedication. I love my generation."

nocigar (June 9, 2006)

How Come Canadian are better then faggot Americans?

how come ignorant pieces of shit like you cant type? or maybe you talk like that too, "faggot".

Kidswhowearmakeuprgay (June 9, 2006)

How Come Canadian are better then faggot Americans?

sickboi (June 9, 2006)

Superdude, you're not allowed to post on the reviews of the your alter-ego....and you know this, man.

sirens (June 9, 2006)

2. How big is the album? Can it play in regular CD players?

hhahaha. man everyone is back on superdudes balls. funny dude.

Dante3000 (June 9, 2006)

Can you understand the words that are coming out of my Mouth?!
you can understand most of what’s coming out of his mouth

Oh...Well....good then.
-Dante

superdude (June 9, 2006)

This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better:

1. I would much more like to see reviews of some of this band's contemporaries:
-Bi-Polar Bear
-Cold-a-sauraus Rex
-Amnesia Hawk

2. How big is the album? Can it play in regular CD players?

3. You broke a sweat just listening to it? Are you sure you weren't jogging?

4. Or doing push ups?