Album Review | The Undertaking! "Funeral Psalms" (Solid State's newest "Southcore" band triumphs)

In the growth of mainstream popularity and the sense of the "punk rock lifestyle" being dead to so many not associated with the scene the term "southcore" would seem foreign to those who are not familiar with the niche scene and genre but leave it to new comers The Undertaking! to bring both intensely driven punk rock and uber catchy southern hard rock together to create a sound that will have Every Time I Die fans clamoring to this sound in droves with their debut album "Funeral Psalms".

The term "southcore" could be described as bringing the worlds of post-hardcore and hard rock together and infusing that into southern rock which will link fans to the sounds of Every Time I Die, Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster, He Is Legend, and Twelve Gauge Valentine, given the "rougher around the edges" approach that the record holds. And it shines best when all the sounds are firing on all signals and in tern making for a chaotic listening experience of distorted guitars and guttural high pitched screams that would make even ETID fans wince.

The record "Funeral Psalms" takes us on a journey that could only be described as a menacing walk through a forest of darkness and alligators roaming around in the deep swampy oceans of pure rock n' roll bliss. "Funeral Psalms" is a pretty accurate title directing it's influences from that of the book of psalms in the bible and tying that into topics of grief and sorrow while also dealing with the thoughts of short comings in someone's life or the short comings in other people; the thought provoking message ties in perfectly with the aggression of the music and the music is something extraordinary.

Musically, this record fires back with a sound of menacing proportions as vocalist Austin Visser and company take us a joyride of southern hardcore bliss that is both enthralling and engaging as the music never takes a backseat to the experience and the sure amount of grit that the record holds is something that is missing from music like this.

The record's opener 'The Problem With Being Included In The Apocalypse" gets you fired up and ready for what the record is going to give you as that beginning riff dominates with a sludgy punk rock angst that permeates throughout the record.

'No Friends' gets you amped up with a killer rocking track that feels like it would fit in a boxing match that just continuously throws punches directly at your face.

'Plagues' will bring fans back to the 2000's with a nostalgic throwback that pleas with both one's self and God to whether or not send a plague of biblical proportions.

'Oh, Negative' which was the first taste of the record perfectly encapsulates the chaotic nature that lies in the tracklist.

'Nostalgia Can Be A Nasty Beast' goes off with some heavily infused mathcore vibes that rival the likes of The Callous Daoboys, Norma Jean, and The Chariot.

'Take Me Down The River' races with a rocking tune that feels like it would fit perfectly on racing game soundtrack straight out of the 2000's.

And finally the one-two combo of 'I Really Don't Want To Be Here' and 'And Everything Worked Out Just Fine' which features a chaotic performance from Cove Reber of ex-Saosin, Dead American, and Scary Kids Scaring Kids fame close off the record with an insanely brilliant ending that leaves the listeners wanting to go back and listen to the record time and time again.

The debut release from yet another fantastic "southcore" band truly shines amongst it's piers and the band have truly outdone themselves with just how much strong talent that they have behind them and to say that the band's future looks promising would be an understatement.

"Funeral Psalms" is an incredible debut from the Southern California band and it is a welcomed edition to the ever growing catalog of metal in this time frame and it feels right at home at the Tooth & Nail Records & Solid State Records family. - Samuel Cook

Rating: 4.5/5