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36 Crazy Fists' 2002 Roadrunner debut was jagged, pissed-off, and basic, its rigid boundaries refreshing in a post-hardcore movement muddled with mixing-board hocus-pocus and white elephant string sections. Expansion from such a singular dimension is natural, even imperative for a follow-up effort; thankfully, these kindler, gentler Fists don't forget how to clench. At first, it doesn't look good. Bitterness the Star's rust, tundra, and heavy equipment motif has been replaced with arty, beating-heart-melting-the-icicles-of-my-soul imagery, and a title right out of the Random Emo Generator. A Snow Capped Romance also finds vocalist Brock Lindow writing pensive lyrics, more poetic than polemic. That said, the hammering rhythms and hysterical screaming of "At the End of August" and "The Heart and the Shape" ensure 36 Crazy Fists haven't completely forsaken the metal or the 'core to build a crisis of conscience platform. Lindow does alternate his berserk howl with a more conventional wail -- this feels like the influence of producer James Paul Wisner, who's worked with Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional. "Bloodwork" and "Skin and Atmosphere" are Snow Capped Romance's biggest departure, relying on big vocal melodies and even bigger dynamic shifts to give 36 Crazy Fists' roguish post-hardcore an accessible front. There's also an echoing mid-album rumination on Lindow's Alaskan youth. But that brief interlude is a setup for a second half that mixes in that frenzied old hard stuff with consistently interesting melodic departures. "With Nothing Underneath" is at least mostly metal, while "Destroy the Map" features some gripping vocal dynamics between Lindow and guest pal Raithon Clay. Most representative might be "Installing the Catheter," which gradually replaces the unfortunate Hoobastank-ness of its start with left-field spoken word and a meaty, thrashing finale. A Snow Capped Romance occasionally stumbles on the loose gravel of conventionalism, but it always regains its footing on the rock. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide

It's quite uncommon to hear a band hailing from Alaska, yet after hearing 36 Crazy Fists, one can only hope more intriguing metalcore spawns from the area. Bitterness the Star is a thoroughly infectious morsel, and while it may first feel a bit abrasive to the listener's ears, repeat plays will surely hook you with extremely groovy thrash metal. Frontman Brock Lindow's unusual vocal quiver may fool you into believing he can't actually sing, yet in reality Bitterness the Star is full of incredibly emotional singing, as displayed on "Two Months From a Year." The quiver helps 36 Crazy Fists stand out in a sea of faceless nu-metal acts, and Lindow often comes off sounding similar to the likes of Glassjaw's Daryl Palumbo or SpineShank's Johnny Santos. Lindow's strong emphasis on vocal hooks firmly plants roots in the listener's brain, and with well-written lyrics one can find themselves singing passages from 36 Crazy Fists' wealth of material quite some time after listening to the album. Carl Severson from hardcore devotees Nora appears on "One More Word," and his outlandish scream intensifies the song quite well. Skinlab's Steev Esquivel also lends his vocal talents to "Bury Me Where I Fall" and helps morph 36 Crazy Fists into a violent heavy metal battering ram of sound. Musically, 36 Crazy Fists are fairly original, and while they may not exactly astonish anyone with their ability, Steve Holt's guitar playing is quite inventive. "Turns to Ashes" is a passionate song that hits the listener like a fist in the jaw, and Lindow's emotional pleading on "Slit Wrist Theory" is moving in its release. "Dislocate" is a spectacular track which effectively burrows its way into your cranium as the slap-happy bass rattles your brain. 36 Crazy Fists deliver on all counts with Bitterness the Star, an album that you may be hesitant to play at first but inevitably will have trouble removing from your stereo. ~ Jason D. Taylor, All Music Guide

 

 



                                         

 

 

 

 

 
36 Crazy Fists
 

Kristin with 36 Crazy Fists

 

 

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