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Album Review

Gallows

Orchestra of Wolves (07.10.2007)

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This band is intense. I’m sure they’d absolutely destroy any venue in a live setting – shit, I’d probably be destroyed in one of their circle pits. And I can respect that.

This album, though, really doesn’t live up to the hype Gallows have received surrounding their North American debut. It’s not a ‘bad’ or ‘boring’ album by any means. The band deserves praise for the amount of attitude they cram into their music, which is abundantly evident even on record. I can also tell from just listening that they mean business when it comes to throwing down some bona-fide street punk music clearly meant to be performed live. I just have a bit of a problem with the lack of anything explorative on Orchestra of Wolves. The band does certainly establish what it they want to accomplish on this release after only a few tracks; however, what they accomplish just isn’t that noteworthy.

Wearing their Black Flag influence on their sleeves (tattoos – not shirts), Gallows have delivered 15 rebellious anthems with in-your-face attitude that do sound urgent and commanding. The opener “Kill the Rhythm” is fun and wastes little time delivering some crunchy power chords and freight train drumming over which some anit-something lyrics can be shouted. All in all, the track serves as a great example of what’s to come. Unfortunately, what’s to come only seems to be more of the same. Without taking anything away from the genre from which Gallows seems proudly born, there’s only so far basic riffs and shouting can take you.

I think I’ve been redundant with my criticism, and so I’ll go on and say that though the band rehashes most of their influences into tracks that become all-to-familiar, they do at times get the formula right.

“In the Belly of a Shark” is composed in a manner that takes the limited number of elements Gallows incorporates, and deploys them just perfectly to deliver a really great tune. Just the right amount of twisty old-school punk riffs, screaming, and even a hardcore breakdown make this track a real treat. “Six Years” takes the tempo down, but keeps the intensity high for a track that surprisingly stays afloat because of its melodic sensibilities, of all things. Hell, a lot of this album is pretty fucking cool – it just can’t remain memorable in long enough spurts to even span one track, with a few exceptions.

I’m a little torn with this record. Judging on this release alone, seeing a Gallows show would be a real treat. And maybe on an EP, five or six of these tracks could make a nice package to enthrall listeners rightfully stuck in the past when it comes to their punk rock. Unfortunately, past those few solidly composed tracks that make up a nice foundation on which to build, there’s just too much filler to really create anything free standing.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Kill the Rhythm
02. Come Friendly Bombs
03. Abandon Ship
04. In the Belly Of a Shark
05. Six years
06. Rolling With the Punches
07. Last Fight for the Living Dead
08. Just Because You Sleep Next To Me
09. Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake
10. Stay Cold
11. I Promise This Won’t Hurt
12. Orchestra of Wolves
13. Sick of Feeling Sick
14. Black Heart Queen
15. Nervous Breakdown

Run Time: 46:57

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