Leathermouth – XO
Epitaph Records

Rating:  

If you picked up this album and thought you were going to hear songs with catchy hooks and toe tapping rhythms, you’re deeply mistaken. The double assault of Frank Iero’s vocals and the hardcore/metal riffs definitely won’t gain approval from your mama.  The album gives you a kick in the face right to your ass straight from New Jersey with love. The album tackles issues from being bullied in school, to hating the government and being attacked by monsters.  The evils of Frank’s mind are leaked out into the album and touches issues that others are scared or gutless to express.  The album is filled with such anger that I caught myself clenching my fists ready to release myself into the mosh pit.  The last time I heard so much anger and frustration on an album was the first Rage Against the Machine and even then Zack’s vocals don’t match the pure angst of Frank’s.

ALL the tracks on the album are amazing, but the four that stand out are 5th Period Massacre, Catch Me If You Can, Sunsets Are For Muggings and Your Friends Are Full Of Shit because of the wide range of topics going on during each of the songs.  This album is 23 minutes of pure ire.

In my biased opinion I would rate this album a 10 out of 10, but standing outside of the chaos and glory, it is a 8 out of 10 because it lives up to the fast paced hardcore punk roots from which it’s sprung, but could be more lyrically engaging.

For those of familiar with the New Jersey punk scene.  You might not have come across Frank Iero before, however he is a veteran of the scene, fronting such bands like Pencey Prep and I am a Graveyard before finding success as the rhythm guitarist for My Chemical Romance.  Not only as he met success as a musician, but he is also the owner of the record label Skeleton Crew; which ranges in publications, music and clothing.

If you like bands like The Banner, Kill Your Idols, Cipher or Bane then Leathermouth will soon be shuffling on your mp3 player.

Epitaph has released a monster on us named Leathermouth.