Suicidal Tendencies
13
Suicidal Records
2013
One of the most beloved bands of my childhood released a new album! Spread the news, “Suicidal’s back! Suicidal’s back! Suicidal’s back! Suicidal’s back!”. The album is called “13” and it proved yet again that those Suicidal “cycos” still know how to smash our brains with good heavy music.
It goes without saying that this is in no way the best album from Suicidal Tendencies; after all, you don’t expect a band that started out in 1983 to release their best work now. The best thing that one can hope from a band that’s been around for 30 years is not to crap all over their legacy. Well, Suicidal Tendencies managed to do more than that, they acually released an album that is worthy of being included in their discography. 13 years had gone by since the last time they ever set foot in a recording booth, and they managed to make an album worthy to carry their heavy name. That is, at least, admirable. And, to tell the truth, they could not have done any worse than “Free Your Soul... and Save My Mind”, their previous album released in 2000, that disappointed fans everywhere.
While “13” has its roots in punk and hardcore, it goes much further than those genres. It seems to me that this time around Suicidal Tendencies have tried to enrich their sound and make it a little more funky. And guess what? It worked out just fine for them.
The first 3 songs of the record are “Shake It Out”, “Smash It!” and “This ain’t a Celebration”. All three of them are exactly the fast, kick-ass kind of songs that Suicidal Tendencies are known for. However, “God only Knows Who I Am”, the forth track there takes “13” to a whole different level. A much more dominant bass-line song perfectly combined with clean, crisp sounding guitars and face melting solos. This clash between hardcore punk and funk also defines songs like “Till My Last Breath” for example, but ultimately “13” remains a hardcore album at heart. The only thing that I missed from the old Suicidal Tendencies is the thrash metal riff injections we all have come to love and expect from them.
It is literally impossible for me to select the songs that stand out in “13”, because it is a tight album in which every song falls perfectly into place. But, let me just say that “This ain’t a Celebration”, “God Only Knows Who I Am”, “Show Some Love... Tear It Down”, “Cyco Style” and “Slam City” may glow a little brighter.
It seems that they needed to stay out of the studio for 13 years in order for them to get their groove back. Or maybe the return of singer Mike Muir had something to do with it. Whatever it was, it worked. In closing, let me just say once again that “13” is in no way the best, or even one of the best albums that Suicidal Tendencies have ever made. It is, however, an album they can be proud of and one that every “cyco” fan will enjoy. Even if you have never heard of them, this is a great record to introduce you to their work.
It goes without saying that this is in no way the best album from Suicidal Tendencies; after all, you don’t expect a band that started out in 1983 to release their best work now. The best thing that one can hope from a band that’s been around for 30 years is not to crap all over their legacy. Well, Suicidal Tendencies managed to do more than that, they acually released an album that is worthy of being included in their discography. 13 years had gone by since the last time they ever set foot in a recording booth, and they managed to make an album worthy to carry their heavy name. That is, at least, admirable. And, to tell the truth, they could not have done any worse than “Free Your Soul... and Save My Mind”, their previous album released in 2000, that disappointed fans everywhere.
While “13” has its roots in punk and hardcore, it goes much further than those genres. It seems to me that this time around Suicidal Tendencies have tried to enrich their sound and make it a little more funky. And guess what? It worked out just fine for them.
The first 3 songs of the record are “Shake It Out”, “Smash It!” and “This ain’t a Celebration”. All three of them are exactly the fast, kick-ass kind of songs that Suicidal Tendencies are known for. However, “God only Knows Who I Am”, the forth track there takes “13” to a whole different level. A much more dominant bass-line song perfectly combined with clean, crisp sounding guitars and face melting solos. This clash between hardcore punk and funk also defines songs like “Till My Last Breath” for example, but ultimately “13” remains a hardcore album at heart. The only thing that I missed from the old Suicidal Tendencies is the thrash metal riff injections we all have come to love and expect from them.
It is literally impossible for me to select the songs that stand out in “13”, because it is a tight album in which every song falls perfectly into place. But, let me just say that “This ain’t a Celebration”, “God Only Knows Who I Am”, “Show Some Love... Tear It Down”, “Cyco Style” and “Slam City” may glow a little brighter.
It seems that they needed to stay out of the studio for 13 years in order for them to get their groove back. Or maybe the return of singer Mike Muir had something to do with it. Whatever it was, it worked. In closing, let me just say once again that “13” is in no way the best, or even one of the best albums that Suicidal Tendencies have ever made. It is, however, an album they can be proud of and one that every “cyco” fan will enjoy. Even if you have never heard of them, this is a great record to introduce you to their work.