I heard good things...were they true?
Artist: Silence the Foe
Title: Sweet Sweet Suicide
Lujo Records
7 Tracks, 21 Minutes

Indeed they were.  Sweet Sweet Suicide gets right to the point on the opener, Chaotic Mind, a thrilling slant on hardcore with a Beatles like guitar lead mixed under spaztic screaming, tambourine, and some eerie monk-like vocals looming behind the mix.  The title track, Sweet Sweet Suicide follows, with an interesting approach to the spiritual concept of "dying to yourself".   From this point on, Suicide was musically still intense while sticking with the spiritual overtones.  The theme of dying to self comes up again in "Playing with the Old Me" where the end recants "its better to be dead with You than alive with me".  The message is challenging to those embracing Christian ideologies and doesn't come off as preachy or judgmental for the leary.

Musically speaking, Silence the Foe doesn't lean too far in any one direction.  Yeah, they scream, but not the circle pit inducing kind of scream.  Yeah, they play with timing, but its not going to lose you every step of the way.  Yeah, they tone it down a notch on occasions, but its not shoegazing material. 

These songs were originally released on a 5 song ep, and all 5 songs are included here, but two additional tracks are placed as a bonus at the end.  The additional tracks are respectable, but not essential as the recording quality is perhaps a step down from the other 5.  I also enjoyed the two music videos.  I didn't really need any more convincing that I should see this band live if given the chance, but the videos were icing on the cake.  Now about that flight to Norway...

The catch 22 of "...Suicide" is the production.  I love this recording.  It is dirty, but the mix is bearable, and the instruments are discrete and discernable.  But at times I had to wonder, "what could these guys do with better budget?"  The instrumentation, the creativity, and the passion are all there.  It just needs a little more TLC in mastering and production before this band truly reaches their potential. 

If you happened to have picked up the 5 song ep in the past, I'd recommend waiting for a new fresh release.  If this is your first time, give them a whirl.