Nora - Save Yourself - 30.07.07

Fans looking for something different on Nora’s third attempt will not find it here, ‘Save Yourself’ consisting of that all too familiar formula of chunky riffs garnished by a constant harsh throat attack, but deployed superbly in particular on ‘Have You Ever Had A Really Bad Day?’ It’s the kind of material that will instantly ignite a sprawling pit of mental-mosh-mongering for an entire gig, to find a couple of unconscious victims underneath it once it’s dispersed - to no surprise. It’s rammed full of half-time beat-downs and guitar licks, with discordant fret wailings, and intense vocals from Carl Severson’s tattered throat which simply does not let up.

But it’s not a nasty dirge, in fact most of it is actually quite danceable and you could easily find yourself flinging about to the bouncy guitar work and big rhythms. Make no mistake, there are some ice-cool riffs on this record which you could do some serious tendon damage to without too much difficulty.

It’s not thinking man’s rock and there’s not a lot of substance to this album, but if you dig unabashed metalcore that does exactly what it says on the beaten-in tin, then look no further.


Verdict :

JIM BURT