After making an impact in the underground hardcore and metal scene with the release of "Replica of a Strange Love" in 2021, the world waited through the pandemic to see what the collective know as Wristmeetrazor would do next. They stayed rather busy with touring, playing select festivals, and keeping up with their other bands and projects, but we kept wondering when we would see new music, especially as the lineup changed drastically. With that said, the new lineup and many changes proved to be a force of good for the now 5-piece band, as "Degeneration" is quite possibly their best record to date. "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead" starts off the album strong, with a bit of industrial flair thrown into the intro before descending into WMR's signature blend of chaotic metallic hardcore. "Static Reckoning" is a time machine back to the golden age of 2003 Myspace era metal, complete with blast-beats and At The Gates style riffing. The album's first single, "Trepanation", is yet again an exercise in focused chaos, but with a tinge of Nu metal influence in the mix, as if this song was to be the logical evolution that bands like Coal Camber would have taken, had they stood the test of time. We see more of the industrial influence on the band with "DogdayGod", which would honestly make Gravity Kills or My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult so proud. Vocalist Justin Fornof whispers and snarls as the industrialized beat builds. The album ends just as strong as it began with "Greatest Love Offering in the History of the World". Composed of two movements, the song starts with a furious blaze of guitars and blast beats, before making a sudden change after a dramatic pause into an absolutely anthemic down tempo march. Justin Fornof's vocals, when clean, mirror some post-punk/darkwave acts in this section, as the music builds again into a soaring and melodic conclusion. As hotly anticipated as this album was, Wristmeetrazor certainly did not disappoint. It is obvious that each member put their 100% of their heart and soul into this record, and it shows with how crisp the guitars are, how thunderous Elaine's bass parts are, and how fat the tone of the drums are as they cut through the mix perfectly. This is truly WMR at their best, with their sound honed to a razor's edge, without forgetting the rawness that makes them so unique, leaving little serrations that cut even deeper.
Standout Track: Every. Single. Song. Truly, it is that damn good. This is without a doubt my top pick for Metal Album of the Year, and we're not even halfway through 2024.
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