Genre: Deathcore/Hardcore
Label: Unsigned
Date of Release: February 14, 2013
BONE-CRUNCHING DEATHCORE
Even
though quartet Gift Giver is a relatively new band, it is quite clear that they
care nothing for softness and subtlety. They formed in 2012 from Ann Arbor, Michigan,
and their mission seems to be to deliver some of the most crushing and unkind
deathcore that could ever reach peoples’ ears. This can be derived from their
debut EP released in early 2013, eloquently entitled “Daddy Issues.” As the
group’s first step into the scene, this six-tracked beast would prove to be a
solid beginning for them.
Starting
off, the musicianship is quite solid. The vocals are incredibly aggressive, boasting
a good range and showcasing undeniable energy with every word the singer
screams or shouts. They stretch from mid-pitch screams to hints of death metal-esque
lower and higher-pitched vocals, and they are all done well with total force
and vehemence. The guitars are performed excellently, as they also show their
strength in which they have a great range. They tread along the line between
brutal riffs that are typical yet still gripping for the deathcore genre
overall and some surprisingly complex parts. They almost fall into the category
of progressive metal in some of these riffs, and it actually does form sort of
an identity apart from the rest of the deathcore and hardcore packs. On top of
that, they are very engaging, as well as fitting in how energetic they sound
with the rest of the music. Along with the vocals and guitars, the drums are
solid as well, played with much vigor and some technicality to keep the audience
invested, obviously parallel to the guitars in that respect. The sound
production is also great, mixing the album in a way that gives it a bit of a
resonant tone to it. In terms of both musicianship and production, Gift Giver
fares quite well.
“Daddy
Issues” is an EP that is composed of an angry cross between brutal deathcore
and some pinches of punk-hardcore and progressive metal. Overall, while the
formula is nothing too new in the metal and hardcore realm, it is executed
greatly. One of the key aspects of this release that makes it so enjoyable is
the energy behind it. It is rather impossible to picture the members recording
these tracks without any enthusiasm whatsoever. Each track is quite
distinguishable from one another, but the aggressiveness is the glue that holds
it all together. This vigor makes the album more gripping and worthy of people banging
their heads to, and even then, this investment is already established with some
memorable hooks and breakdowns peppered throughout the EP. Even people who are
not very familiar with the deathcore and hardcore genres could easily be
wrapped up in some of the catchy riffs the album has to offer, thus showing
that the release can appeal to a wider crowd outside of their own genre zone. The
tracks themselves are well-built also, being somewhat unpredictable at times
and making way for some strong breakdowns and hooks throughout. In terms of
brutality and energy, “Daddy Issues” is performed rather strongly.
Accompanying
this violent music is some violent lyrical content. As stated earlier, the band
is not one for subtlety, and even the text reflects that. They are very
straight-forward and trash-mouthed in their message, and they really fit with
how aggressive the music itself is. Topics of these lyrics include what are
referred to as ‘keyboard warriors’ who constantly make empty threats over the
internet to other people, usually due to some disagreement (Bodysnatcher) and
deceit (Lowlife). Even though they are incredibly typical in how they are
written for the deathcore genre, complete with loads of swearing and degrading
insults, they click well to the music in how vehement they are.
For
a debut release, “Daddy Issues” is a very good start for this recent group. The
musicianship and production are great in how they sound and are executed,
especially in terms of the energy behind them. This can also be applied to the
music itself, in its violent deathcore fusion loaded with great hooks, stellar vigor
and speed. There is nothing very new or completely out of the box in terms of
the genre for this album, but nonetheless, it is done well. Lyrically, the same
can be said: While they are generic for the deathcore crowd, and on occasions
do get a tad silly, they fit well with the potent music in how crude they are. All
in all, this is a solid EP, and any fans of deathcore and hardcore should try
it out, and is a great welcome release for newcomers of both genres. Gift Giver
is a band to keep an eye on, because “Daddy Issues” is a solid album that loves
to leave its bruises.
Score: 8.5/10 (Great+)
