Album Review: Cardinals Pride - Those People Will Never Die
By Sam Tornow, Contributor
[New Damage; 2015]
Rating: 3.5/5
Key Tracks: “I’m Alright,” “Centuries Apart”
Metalcore, a genre that appears to keep growing and progressing, is full of unique talent but tainted with the reputation of intense verses and sing-songy choruses with little musical variation. Cardinals Pride, a group of up and coming Canadians, are kicking down these stereotypes with their sophomore EP, Those People Will Never Die. Driven by intensity and calculated, controlled musical chaos, these not-so-nice sounding Canadians will either have you wallowing in fear or headbanging, and taking in the fresh air they’re bringing to the scene.
Those People Will Never Die aggressively grabs the listener right from the beginning with “I’m Alright.” The opening track is heavy from the get go and littered with technical, underlying moving parts that are a staple in the band’s sound. Every few measures the song transitions into a new section seamlessly, leaving the listener in a tornado of melodic pandemonium that continues throughout the rest of the album.
The driving point of Cardinals Pride lies within the musical ability of all its members, which allows the chaotic sound to work as a well oiled machine. “Centuries Apart,” the final song off Those People WIll Never Die, exemplifies just this. As with much of the EP, the guitar drives the song, eventually taking a soaring solo that is reminiscent of metalcore greats such as August Burns Red and Between the Buried and Me. Underneath everything else, the drums and bass lay an incredibly firm foundation that refuses to be shaken by any twist and turn that the other members of Cardinals Pride decide to take them on. The vocals are strong but leave the listener wanting more of the hectic vocal changes that appeared on Cardinals Pride first EP, Priorities.
To the everyday listener who is normally turned off (or frightened) by rough vocals, blast beats or the hardcore culture, Those Who Will Never Die may not be the right EP with which to get involved in the scene. However, to anyone that has already dove into the world of heavy music, Those Who Will Never Die is a refreshing take on the genre and is well worth a listen...or two or three.
