If you think you know about Gacy’s Threads because their name and image say modern Metalcore, be prepared to think again. Bands change, and bands get better – and this one has just found itself.

They’ve successfully steered out of those youthful Metalcore influences and gone backward, in most satisfying fashion, to come up with a refreshingly new direction. Where did they go back to? Well, mostly the blistering noisecore that heralded the turn of the millennium: to wit, Botch, Burnt By The Sun and Drowningman.

Opener ‘Blackheart’ doesn’t let up for a single second, and is an effervescent start to an release that just keeps delivering. It sets out their new credentials. Chaotic dissonance while still sounding musical (a failure of so many); variety of beats and speeds; and a throat scouring delivery.

Both ‘Hope Bleeds Into Despair’ and the subsequent title track race by with such conviction you don’t pause over the typical flaws of emerging bands. FIrst, because there hardly are any, and second because their music is chock full of conviction. You get into what they’re doing.

Perhaps ‘To The Death’ returns a little to the Metalcore blueprint we’ve all come to know and grow tired of, but it’s rescued in the middle by a fantastic build and some snappy, light touch rolls that give it all a vivid feel.

This is the sound of an energetic and committed band coming up with all the goods. Just listen to that blast at the end of ‘To The Death’. It’s packed with enthusiasm and fire.

So give them a chance and pick this up, most especially if you’re not even generally into this style (or rather, think you’re not into this style – in reality it’s pure metal). There’s a blistering set of tunes in here that’ll satisfy even the most jaded. In fact maybe that’s who should hear it the most. Absolutely brilliant – and an unorthodox, chance-taking, exciting album of the month.

4.6 / 5 - Earl Grey ::: 15/11/11

http://www.metalireland.com/2011/11/16/gacys-threads-the-ignorance-of-purity/