Paint it Black - Paradise
A lot of hardcore has become watered down and cheap, Paint It Black are what you call a throw back to the “good ol’ days.”
If you were to come up to me on the street and tell me there was a band out there that delivers powerful, riveting, hardcore music in 14 songs under 22 minutes, I would laugh in your face and walk away. Irrational, imprudent me; there is a band out there and they are called Paint It Black. Comprised of former members of Lifetime and Kid Dynamite, there should be no surprise then that Paint It Black are dynamic and vigorous. When you actually think of how many bands could pull off 14 songs in a measly 20 something minutes, well you think back to Lifetime and Kid Dynamite; bands that never gave a shit about industry standards and big wigs. That’s the type of vibe Paint It Black give off; in-your-face, earsplitting attitude.
Don’t think though that these guys don’t have a lot to say just because they get their point across way quicker than most bands. In fact, this album is more than just a little politically charged. There is no holding back at all. Right from the start, the opening track, “Election Day” breaths fire; “Last call for the bloodsuckers, cheaters, and parasites / You’ve been relieved of duty, so let’s call it a night / You’d better sleep tight, and get your head right.” No doubt that the album title, Paradise, is a metaphor of irony and mockery as the lyrics on the album are anything close to resembling “paradise” in any form. The lyrics also feature a ton of anger and irritation as displayed on the song “Nicaragua;” “You better watch who you call “backwards” & who you call “uncivilized” / Treating people like pigeons / I hope they peck out your eyes / Throwing crumbs and passing judgment / Nobody asked you to import that shit.” So charged with emotion you have to wonder how spent vocalist Dan Yemin must be after a performance.
Short songs would have most thinking there isn’t much room for creativity. Far from the truth again as most songs will leave the listener wondering how they managed to pack so much sound into such neatly packaged, short songs. With drums that crash as fast and aggressive as can be, each song is powered by the rhythm and tempo of the percussions. Add in some guitar work that adds momentum to the music and you’re really left with the feeling that you’ve just been punched in the chest.
A lot of hardcore has become watered down and cheap, Paint It Black are what you call a throw back to the “good ol’ days.” They play it the way it was intended to be delivered; with precision, power, passion and aggression. If you’ve been longing for fire and energy in your music, look no further than Paint It Black.
(Jade Tree Records)