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Cold World

Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First (2008)
Deathwish Inc.

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

Published on July 29th 2008

There seems to be a common understanding that you’re either a Cold World fan or you’re not, and nothing is likely to sway your opinion one way or the other. Apparently this is not true. I absolutely loved Ice Grillz, and cannot imagine a way in which I could have been more disappointed with their follow up, Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First.

Despite the fact that the record is littered with weak, sloppy transitions, and wildly arbitrary tempo changes, in complete disregard of genuine musicality, there are some great riffs (including the song “Roaches and Rats," in it’s entirety), but they’re nothing original. Think Biohazard (hard) meets Life of Agony (Seriously? Nobody ACTUALLY listened to this band). The production by Billy Graziadei of Biohazard is impressive, but can’t save it.

Lyrically, there is just no hope. I mean, the record starts with “Six million ways to die / but you can’t choose one / it chooses you / when your times [sic] through.” But you know how you overcome terrible lyrics? Great vocals. Does Cold World deliver? Not even close. When Dan Mills does his straight forward, hardcore yell it sounds great, but that seems to be the exception this time around, with the awkward, off key singing parts taking over. And do you know what the worst thing you can do is, if you’re trying to hide the fact that you’ve got a vocally weak record? Have George Hirsch of Blacklisted, probably the best vocalist in hardcore today, do a guest spot on a song. He just destroys it, as usual.

And as for this whole “rap in hardcore” thing, it’s nothing new, and is almost never a good idea. What is rare, however, is rap in credible, respectable hardcore, and there’s a good reason for that. The chorus for the title track is almost completely pitched up, sampled vocals! Is this the new Kanye West project? My prediction: the next Cold World record will have skits between songs.

The bottom line is, this is what happens when a hype band tries to write a record that matches that hype. Talk about getting it backwards. This band got popular by writing great, straight forward hardcore songs, and that’s what they do best. I just wish there had been some indication of that on this album.

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GlassPipeMurder (November 24, 2010)

I've only heard "Roaches and Rats" and thought it was okay. But what I wanna know is how you take a band name from GZA and an album name from Raekwon and come up with anything less than brilliant?

scttfrb (August 26, 2009)

How did these guys get on to Deathwish? They sucked in NEPA and they suck now.

crayZsaaron (July 12, 2009)

*off

crayZsaaron (July 12, 2009)

Today, I accidentally won this album in the punknews sweepstakes. FML.

Do you think i can make any money of of this and three 7"s by Dry Rot, Mind Eraser, and Trapped Under Ice?

lookingforcorpses (September 16, 2008)

Lots of people liked Life of Agony, especially River Runs Red.

KiwiFruit (July 30, 2008)

I bit of a harsh review.

George sings on the title track, and it kicks ass.

d00dplz (July 30, 2008)

oh yeah and George Hirsch of Blacklisted is most def the best vocalist in hardcore today

d00dplz (July 30, 2008)

i agree with alot of what this guy is saying
the album is totally weak and boring
and those shitty singing parts

JaredK (July 30, 2008)

The first Life of Agony album, River Runs Red, was great in my opinion but everything else they did definitely sucked bad.

johnnydanger (July 30, 2008)

Could not be more wrong. Instant classic.

kraze (July 30, 2008)

I hate the hype on these guys.

Atleast madball was fun. This is just like the new kids latching onto it and taking it way too seriously.

sugarfull (July 30, 2008)

"Have George Hirsch of Blacklisted, probably the best vocalist in hardcore today"

Really? I'm not so sure.

24HourPriapism (July 29, 2008)

see? told you. motherfucking rap-rock.

danperrone (July 29, 2008)

one of the worst albums i've heard in a long time

feeeding5000 (July 29, 2008)

Haven't heard the first one; enjoyed this one on a guilty pleasure level. A perfect album to listen to when you feel like droppin' some suckaz.

Dante3000 (July 29, 2008)

"Probably the worst thing to ever happen to hip-hop" Noooo, that would be Soldier Boy.

I'll meet you half way, a Soldier Boy skit album. It's the fifth horseman.
-Dante

IamMclovin (July 29, 2008)

"Probably the worst thing to ever happen to hip-hop" Noooo, that would be Soldier Boy.

thus_spoke_sean (July 29, 2008)

hahahahaha, props on the Life Of Agony comment. JESUS! seriously.

Honestly it's nice to see Deathiwhs put out an album that doesn't rule. Kind of the exception proves the rule thing...at least for now.

Dante3000 (July 29, 2008)

Score is for "Skits" on rap/hip-hop albums. Probably the worst thing to ever happen to hip-hop. 90% of them aren't funny and a majority don't even make sense.
If I wanted comedy I'd have put in "Bigger and Blacker" and not a rap album.
-Dante