Customer Reviews

This Is Meant to Hurt You

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is kind of a seething, math-y beatdown. A lot of Botch fans (there are some ex-Botch guys here) prefer Botch since Botch was crazier and more metal and whatnot and this is more indie, but TAAS is one of those bands where there is covertly catchy stuff happening under the distortion. The words are brilliant though kind of stalker material.

Ever hear a sound that literally just blows you away the first time you hear it? That's exactly what happens on "This Is Meant To Hurt You", the Jade Tree debut EP from These Arms Are Snakes (TAAS). TAAS was formed from the ashes of BOTCH and KILL SADIE, the formulaic intensity of both bands were carried out by the members. The band has been compared repeatedly to AT THE DRIVE-IN (ATDI), but it does them no justice. From the opening track "Riding The Grape Dragon", it becomes painfully obvious that TAAS' sound is way more intense than anything ATDI ever did. The second track "Run It Through The Dog", starts out cathartic and crescends into an almost jazz-fusion breakdown, which at time feels like Iceburn(ish) and harkens back to the 108 song "Being or Body?", the song picks up again with a multitude layer of sounds like an orgasmic crescendo for the ears. Vocalist Steve Sneere exlaims "if this is an invitation , then this is my R.S.V.P, so on your list you can scratch me off", on "The Blue Rose", the ultimate invitation to the EP's standout track. These Arms Are Snakes "This Is Meant To Hurt You" is at best heard through headphones to capture all the cataharis and intensity the band has to offer. Bleeding ears never felt this good. (reviewed on facedownfall.com)

I've written this after the release of their full length album "Oxeneers and Lion Sleep When Their Antelope Go Home" It's a stupid name, but I like it. When I heard it, although I though it was great, it was less than I expected. It had a bit too much electronics in it, whereas "This Is Meant To Hurt You" is more post hardcore. The last song "Drinking From The Necks Of The Ones You Love" was an excellent song, I still listen to it, it's a classic. I recommend getting this EP just for that song alone. 6 minutes of heaven. For fans of "Bullet For My Valentine", "Every Time I Die", "Razor Crusade" and "Glassjaw"

Once being the grunge capitol of the world I haven't heard to much come out of Seattle lately until the band These Arms Are Snakes (well there was The Blood Brothers). I would like to give this cd a 4 because I feel they can still achieve even better than this brilliance, but a 5 it deserves so a 5 it gets. I'd compare them to the Mars Volta in their style as a kind of art post-punkcore band, whatever that is. The distortion, the jams, the shifts, I love all these parts and more to This Is Meant To Hurt You. Stever Snere is a great vocalist, distortion is often used on his voice and it fits perfectly with the music and Brian Cook is incredible at worst with his tempo-shifts and tones. These Arms Are Snakes have managed to pull off a great EP and I wait impatiently for the LP. This album changes from jams, to melody into frantic punk effortlessly.

I haven't been this moved by an arty screamy band since Universal Order Of Armageddon.

I like a lot of people was probably let down initially by this disk. I like all sorts of music and I'm a huge fan of Botch (a band some members of TAAS were in previously). Most hardcore musicians opt for the indie rock route after thier angrier projects run their course, and while TAAS doesn't rock the frenetic riffs of Botch, this record more than holds its own. It's something of a throbbing, midtempo, dark record that would be filed next to Quicksand or the Jesus Lizard with a singer that yelps like a VSS-era Sonny Kay if anyone ever gets around to writing a punk rock Dewey Decimal system. Anyhow, it took this record a bit to grow on me, but those kinds or records are usually the ones that stick.

Also, they did the smart thing by releasing a 5 song EP as a debut instead of opting to drop a record right away. I'm stoked to hear what they do next.

I first heard of these guys because I think some of them were in the band Undertow back in the day.
Anyhoo, this EP is quite good. I agree with the previous reviewer that there's a little bit of "Mars Volta" going on here, however I'd say it's more of an "At the Drive In" feel only with Neil Young on guitar some of the time. It's thick and layered and the vocals are there but not central. There is a sense of urgency and interesting lyrics and repition that breaks away to shifty song structure. You really don't know what to expect. I only give 4 stars because it's only an EP and they need to release an album ASAP, or else.

****"Drinking From the Necks..." is awesome!! The best track, lotsa surprises--not something that happens a lot with music these days.