Review: 36 Crazyfists – Rest Inside the Flames (2006)

36 Crazyfists grabbed my attention a few years ago, not long after their third studio album, Rest Inside the Flames, hit store shelves. I’ve had the opportunity to watch them perform live (at the Rockstar Mayhem Fest last year in Dallas) and they’re a great act to watch and mosh to.

The aforementioned album opens strong with ‘I’ll Go Until My Heart Stops,’ a good song packed with plenty of screams, great riffs, and some double-bass kicks in the middle. The song transitions to a more melody-driven ‘Felt Through a Phone Line,’ which utilizes a unique distortion in the vocal track a few seconds in. You’ll be a minute or so in when you notice that difference between ‘Phone Line’ and ‘…Heart Stops.’ The way the two songs carry themselves, the way they are driven, you’d think two different bands were at work – at least until Lindow’s distinctive screams belt out, of course. No complaints here, though, especially seeing as how whatever sound 36CF captures, they always sound great.

‘On Any Given Night’ opens with a catchy riff over offbeat drumming and leads into an even catchier melodic vocal track sung by Lindow. Again, a curve ball is thrown when ‘Elysium’ kicks on. All screams from Lindow with thick, chugging riffs in the forefront (you can’t possibly think Holt’s guitar work occupies the BACKground, do you?) before Howard Jones of Killswitch Engage guest appears. With his signature screams alongside Lindow’s, you have the best song on the CD yet.

And another change-up as ‘The Great Descent’ comes on next. Opening with a softer melody, the song switches between clean vocals and Lindow’s explosive, and catchy screams, (Somebody better call a doctor!).

The entire disc is a diverse album with a plethora of different styles, ranging from almost emo (the good, bearable kind) to melodic rock to metalcore. The rest of the album carries on without missing a beat. Notable mentions to ‘Aurora,’ ‘We Cannot Deny,’ and the somber (and acoustic) ‘The City Ignites.’ The album is easily a must-have for anyone who enjoys hard rock and melodic metalcore.

Homepage @ Roadrunner Records | MySpace | Amazon