Clenched Fist "Just Like Roaches" Review

Clenched Fist “Just Like Roaches” –

The transcendent soundscape elicits an ethereal pondering from the audience as it doubles as an exploratory metaphor from the nubile cravings of….. wait. Wrong review.

This is Hardcore. New School fucking Hardcore. Heavy, brutal, pissed. Fast; tearing your chest and eardrums like a rabid Ebola virus, leaving you bleeding, exhausted and pummeled. Your carcass is left smiling, though, in its final stages.

This digital download only release finds CF in an improved state. And “Welcome to Memphis” ruled! But whether it’s time and maturation or a new line-up, the result is undeniable. Vicious, unrelenting breakdowns are the anchor of each song, without swallowing the seed of metal-core bands (First Blood, Since The Flood, Black My Heart, etc). This is hardcore. This shit will clear bars and VFW halls from one coast to the other.

Tough riffs, solid drumming, and spot-on production provide the perfect platform for Juicy Joel’s bloody throat to deliver bitter and disgusted lyrics. My instant favorite was “Dead at 33”. As a 32 year-old, I recently enjoyed the Clenched Fist interview on HARDBOILED. Statements like “For several years I worked in an office every day and I didn't ever travel or go to that many shows and I thought all the new bands sucked and that all the new kids were faggots. Once I quit my job and started my own business I started touring with Death Before Dishonor and helping out with This Is Hardcore Fest and I realized that there are some good new bands and some new kids who will turn into lifers. The scene is definitely different now but it's not dead. It just needs older people to lead by example. I love hardcore and will never leave it” prove why I still do this and that we are not alone. Clenched Fist deserves mad props for truly, keeping it real.

“The Epitome”, “Self Made”, “Random Things” and the title track stick out to me. Boom! But every song is amazing. This album goes from beginning to end without an extra second.
My only complaint is that we had to wait this long to get it! Please do not take so long in between albums! I can’t imagine, with Thorp’s recent resurgence, why they would not get behind this or release it. Eulogy or the like should be pushing this brilliant, blazing album.
A kickin’ surprise is Brian DBD on “Solitary Confinement” Well not a surprise in the fact that CF vocalist’s plays in DBD. But, as there was no inlay or booklet; it surprises the listener. And it bludgeons the listener.

For Fans of: Madball, Cold as Life, Skare Tactic, Donnybrook!, Folsom, DBD, Forfeit, and a little Reign Supreme.

I bought this album on iTunes. Joel may say he does not care how you obtain it, but I do. Support someone so dedicated to this lifestyle. And support a group of guys that puts out quality and authentic hardcore.

SUPPORT CLENCHED FIST:
“Any bands or record labels that need art, check me out at JuicyJoel.com. Look for Clenched Fist "Just Like Roaches" CD available in Europe from Filled With Hate Records later this month. They will also have CF shirts. Thanks man.”

Check out: justlikeroaches.com/

READ THE HARD-BOILED INTERVIEW:
http://old-school-hate.blogspot.com/2010/02/clenched-fist.html