Murderers - 'Murderers'

I never thought I’d be saying this, but Contra Code better start sleeping with one eye open. Ruling the realm of Vancouver tech/skate-punk for the better part of a decade, their sovereignty of shred has gone largely uncontested. Challengers to the throne have been few in number. Though some have tried, all ultimately fail--squashed under the domineering weight of Contra Code's Iron Herd...ahem, fist.  There is one band however, that would seek to disrupt this skate-punk monarchy and overthrow their decade long reign of riffs. Born from the ashes of a motley band of cheese-touqes, Murderers have been patiently honing their craft for nearly five years years now, sharpening their guitar strings and oiling their kick drum pedals in the bowels of Vancouver's DIY venues and small night clubs/bars. The grind has been a slow one over the past half decade, but show by show and venue by venue, Murderers have been, well--murdering their competitors one band at a time. It's been one hell of a training montage. So the question is: has this quartet of killers levelled up enough to challenge royalty for the crown? With the release of their self-titled LP, you're about to find out.

What's immediately apparent upon firing up 'Murderers' for the first time is the tremendous growth the band has made since the Anteater days. Sure, there are bits of 'Smashed Antholes' DNA sprinkled liberally throughout this 29 minute riff fest, but the technical chops that the band had always hinted at are at an entirely new level here. Every song across this seven track LP features a moment (or three) of instrumental gymnastics that's likely to leave your jaw hanging a few inches lower. Whether it's the melodic guitar tapping sections of "Afterglow" or the glorious mid song drum fills of "Big Red Racing", the gravity bomb basslines of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" or the series of absolute dick-punching riffs that open album closer "YSYWTG", each member gets a turn to crack their knuckles in the spotlight. It's unsurprising really, when you consider that (3 of) these guys have been writing and playing together for the past 7-8 years. And what better songwriters they've become. Musically, 'Murderers' is remarkably more varied, demonstrating a band drawing from a much deeper well of influences this time around. While it's true that much of the record throttles ahead at your typical breakneck, skate-punk pace, it's speed belies just how how creative it really is. Each song shares the same metallic backbone but the band draws from such a wide range of genres that every track has a fresh hook to keep it sounding unique. From the bluesy interlude at 1:45 of "Big Red Racing" to the HUGE circle pit starting riff at 2:02 of "White Wide Rails" (one they wisely use more than once), to the curb-stomping hardcore of "Second Chances", to the pinch harmonics in the middle of "Thoughts and Prayers" or the turn on a dime cock-rock finale of album closer "YSYWTG", it's easy to lose count of all the great moments spread throughout 'Murderers' runtime. Good thing it's so damn replayable. It also sounds fantastic. Produced, mixed and engineered by drummer Wes Kennedy (who absolutely shines behind the kit) and mastered by Stu McKillop, add this one to the growing list of local releases that deceive their likely small budget(s)

Five years has been worth the wait. For those that have seen the band live, and I suspect that will be many of you reading this, 'Murderers' holds few surprises. You've heard them play these songs live. But now you get to marvel at just how talented this group of musicians are to pull this stuff off so well in a live setting. With the recent departure of Carey on guitar, the future of the band is uncertain. If nothing else though, this album cements them as one of the skate punk greats out of the Vancouver area. Oh, and all that talk about stealing Contra Code's crown? That was just a ruse. The two of would rule the landscape side by side. A team up for the ages. Team Mega Powers, like Hogan and Randy Savage.

6.0/7.0

Standout Tracks: "Wide White Rails", Hopelessly Devoted to You", "YSYWTG"

https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/murderers/1737733426?ls