AlbumsNovember 29, 201114,025 views

Nails Unsilent Death


Unsilent Death
01. Conform 02. Scum Will Rise 03. Your God 04. Suffering Soul 05. Unsilent Death 06. Traitor 07. I Will Not Follow 08. Servant 09. Scapegoat 10. Depths
2010 Six Feet Under Records
Our score 6

by Nick
8/22/2010

Since truly innovative tunes within metal and hardcore are legitimately harder and harder to come by with each passing year, I'm not opposed to proven formulas. In the case of Southern California's Nails, this proven formula looks a like a pissed-off smattering of influences from the likes of Entombed and Nasum, all wrapped up in a slightly more hardcore-leaning package. It's wicked fast, gritty, and pretty enjoyable. Chances are, you've heard the blend before -- we can call this the "Trap Them" effect -- but hey, as long as well-executed, it's still worth a listen. And then there's the short, one word plural band name that's popped up more than a few times recently: Tombs, Narrows, Tides, Harlots, Ambitions, Victims, Clouds, Planks, Coffins, Constants, Empires, Giants, Grails, Millions, Plows, Towers, Saviours, Lords... to name a few. Have other people noticed this? It's certainly a minor point, but it's difficult not to chuckle and think of the Blink-182 driven "number band" days. Digression aside, Nails has, ahem, nailed the major points of hardcore-tinged grind. The chord progressions are lightning fast, the drumming is dead-on, and the record sounds impressively heavy. And when compared with their previous effort, Obscene Humanity, it's definitely a tighter, better sounding record. The intangibles, however, aren't as strong. Its fourteen minute duration is a definite plus, but not much sticks, even after repeated listens. Nasum and Entombed both had fantastic riffs and grooves that proved to be highly memorable despite such an abrasive overall style, but that isn't the case for Nails. There are a few of these moments on Unsilent Death -- most notably the four minute mini-epic, "Depths," and its noisy guitar leads and pummeling, down-tempo close -- but not enough for this to be a landmark release. Quite frankly, it's just tough to make a drop in the bucket of the Entombed-influenced grind world. The dudes in Nails are certainly capable of the style of music and although they shouldn't necessarily be knocked for making a proven formula work well, they also aren't likely to garner much attention until they find their own twist -- however small it may be -- to move them past being just a "formula" band. For me, Nails is the perfect example of a like-it-but-not-love-it band, and I suspect many others will feel the same. Bottom Line: If you liked what Trap Them did with the sound of Entombed and Nasum, you'll probably also find something to like on Nails' Unsilent Death. You won't, however, find the same level creativity and abundance of memorable songwriting moments. Unsilent Death is good, but not great. So it goes.

47 comments

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godfrey_ 8/22/2010 12:44:55 PM

boners

clown_ 8/22/2010 3:27:14 PM

this album is hard as f*ck

RobRed_ 8/22/2010 3:48:18 PM

more attention on reviewing band names in your future reviews please. it's inspiration.

t_ 8/22/2010 4:25:48 PM

I was thinking the same. Have you ever noticed how bands have names? What's the deal with using letters to name your band? Book-length study on this horrible trend please.

waped_ 8/22/2010 4:30:57 PM

it's cool they got a f*cking retard to review an album.

Stickers_ 8/22/2010 5:11:39 PM

Seriously? Band names and Trap Them? I usually don't say shit about your reviews, but man this was just awful.

tower_ 8/22/2010 9:33:55 PM

f*cking terrible review... and not even just because it's nick.

nick the bitch_ 8/23/2010 12:59:07 AM

yeah so many bands were like "omg blink 182 is a cool name lets put a number in our name too". why dont you go back to listening to gay music for 14 year old boys you little bitch?

larr seinfeld_ 8/23/2010 1:06:58 AM

what's the deal with band names?

paytodie_ 8/23/2010 2:50:10 AM

this band sucks, this review isn't bad enough. saw them once and their singer said "if anyone gets in my way i'll f*cking bury you". jock idiots playing "smelly guy" music. kill yourselves.

Godfather_ 8/23/2010 7:36:02 AM

lol Nail on head, guy above me.

arty_mcfarty_ 8/23/2010 9:18:31 AM

jesus christ you are a f*cking idiot......this is the worst review on lambgoat, ever.

profane_youth_ 8/23/2010 11:30:40 AM

This review is pointless, this record is awesome and better than 90% of the bands coming out today. Save your reviews on band names for metalcore bands and lame pop punk.

hateallcrushchrist_ 8/23/2010 12:39:12 PM

this band is a biter. NOTHING WE HAVENT SEEN BEFORE. Theres been bros trying to play this style of hardcore for years now. for the bottom post, f*ck metalcore, shitty pop punk and shitty hardcore. and f*ck you to gay!

crushedbytheweight_ 8/23/2010 12:44:41 PM

This record is too hard for the metalcore nerds that post here.

xdandanx_ 8/23/2010 12:58:38 PM

gay band full of gays

blessedxcursed_ 8/23/2010 1:30:47 PM

worst review ever

Zach Riley_ 8/23/2010 2:34:30 PM

Review sucks, record slays and live the band can't be touched!

dingus_ 8/23/2010 3:00:07 PM

Bad review. Is Entombed the only metal band you've ever listened to? Nails sounds nothing like Entombed.

poopbutt_ 8/23/2010 6:21:51 PM

nails actually claim entombed as an influence, i'm pretty sure it only comes through in the shitty guitar tone. this band sucks, todd jones is a TOOL

daikini_ 8/23/2010 8:38:49 PM

Disagree about there being no memorable parts after repeated listens. The riff in the chorus of Suffering Soul and the riff in Unsilent Death come to mind. One-word plural band names are overplayed though

Omegaman_ 8/24/2010 10:57:36 AM

If you're gonna get caught up in 1 syllable plural names and bands claiming influence from some bands work from 20+ years ago you should really quit now. They might be xtuff guysx or whatever, I really don't care, and they don't sound like Entombed enough to jack them for it. This record deserves at least a 7.

scott nails_ 8/24/2010 1:06:45 PM

this review is f*cking bogus bro. i f*ck whatever c-ms my way.

fuck_ 8/24/2010 1:52:10 PM

I'm not hearing the entombed influence everyone is talking about at all

theBZA_ 8/24/2010 1:58:29 PM

This cd is f*ckin' hoooooord. Cop this shit!

PigMuff_ 8/24/2010 6:22:29 PM

this review f*ck'in sucks ...I hope this guy ends up as a cross on the side of the road because if you think there is not an abundance of memorable moments on this cd , you where probably not listening to the right cd ...you probably just had a dck in your mouth ..gay

james_ 8/24/2010 6:34:57 PM

This is a good album though. The overall feel of it makes it powerful even if the riffs are not memorable. Comparing them to Nasum is odd cause there really isnt much blasting grind in it and the only Entombed influence this band has is the HM2 guitar tone. Reviewing music you know nothing about makes you look stupid.

justinbean_ 8/24/2010 10:03:13 PM

i agree, nick. lots of bands doing something similar but doing it better. it's the swedish grind sound over and over. stick with rotten sound, or blind.

anaturaldisaster_ 8/25/2010 6:10:00 AM

I don't think this review is that far off. They don't sound exactly like Entombed, Nasum or Trap Them but the influence is obvious. Decent band, but strikes me as one of those bands made up of a bunch of dudes who jumped ship from another genre onto this short-lived boat and no one will give a f*ck in a few months.

godfatherofsoul_ 8/25/2010 3:26:34 PM

i suck fat black c-cks because i am a huge f*cking gay

reviewer_nick_ 8/26/2010 2:36:08 AM

Since truly innovative tunes within metal and hardcore are legitimately harder and harder to come by with each passing year. My stepdad f*cked me as i typed this.

Jiddles_ 8/26/2010 10:37:45 AM

Shit review. Should've gotten a 9. Eat Shit.

HBDad_ 8/26/2010 1:41:33 PM

Weak album, bad production, too short (an EP at best), and unoriginal! New Ion Dissonance blows this shit out of the water!

Carlos_ 8/26/2010 8:40:20 PM

This record is f*cking great. The real deal and not poser shit like the metalcore douche above.

jarvis_ 8/27/2010 2:19:58 AM

I don't get what the reviewer wants? Suffering soul and unsilent death both have catchy guitar riffs. Depths is heavy as f*ck. Should have gotten at least an 8

faggots_ 8/27/2010 2:50:16 AM

www.myspace.com/bonesickness

xmusicislifex_ 8/27/2010 1:11:51 PM

people that would compare this album to the new Ion Dissonance are absolute failures as music fans...both albums are great but how can you compare two completely different sounding bands...please do not post ever again or at least until you understand music

It's The Limit_ 8/27/2010 4:24:46 PM

Ion Dissonance sucks, NAILS is f*cking shreds. No question

peters_ 8/27/2010 8:31:55 PM

Nails slays Trap Them

justinbean_ 8/28/2010 12:12:40 PM

sorry, this album is just not that good. but i'll be damned if it isn't trendy as all get out. and trap them is 17 times better, more interesting and innovative than nails. trap them even avoided the mundane one word name. the dude from nails can do blast beat. whogivesaf*ck.

Mark K_ 8/28/2010 1:00:30 PM

Nails is 100% heavy and in your face. The music is real, the lyrics and anger is real. Its not some poser hipster metal (trap them) If you want to compare Nails to the those bands then make sure and mention Nails does it for real and doesn't worry about wearing the cool entombed shirt and making sure their jeans are tight enough or black enough. I want to see real dudes playing mean agressive music. Thats Nails to me

Nate_ 8/28/2010 7:05:54 PM

record is f*ckin awesome Nick is just an idiot

Beef_guy_ 8/29/2010 10:04:14 AM

MY HATE IS REAL

Omegaman_ 8/30/2010 10:43:07 AM

Trap Them is hipster metal now??? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!!!1

jamie_ 8/30/2010 9:29:32 PM

nails is sick, cant wait to see em the 11th

theshrutebuck_ 9/15/2010 1:55:51 AM

I cringed when you wrote "ahem" and inserted that awful pun. Stop being in love with your writing. Other than that it was good and you're a good kid.

Your mother._ 9/20/2010 12:20:57 PM

Wow did you miss the mark on this one. So far one of the best records of the year.