The sound of what was once considered West Coast Hard Core is changing.  The Barbarians of California‘s new album And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth (oneRPM) carries more of a metallic stomp aligned with modern Hardcore. Right from the first song you can hear the band’s more experimental edge. Once into the meat of the album, they bridge hardcore with a Nu-Metal sound, which is not unlike what System of a Down does. They attack with a more spastic jerk. It’s hard not to appreciate the sense of adventure that runs through these songs. The new generation of nu-metal kids who attend festivals like Sick New World will dig it. Hardcore purists might have some questions. 

“Bazooka” hits with a more metal lumber, the song progresses they pick up the pace for a more manic groove. The band is at their best when things get darker and they allow the sonic space for eerie guitar harmonies to kick in. “Dopamine Prophecy “slaps you with a heavy hand of senseless violence, though even in these moments they maintain more groove than say Grindcore. They are joined by Tim McIlrath from Rise Against, for “Three Letters.” The varied vocal colors work well on this one, though Tim’s role in the song is not prevalent.  

“Where Are the Punks” has them chanting about bombs again, the main riff has more of a Slipknot-like grit, but there is still enough thought invested to avoid them sounding like a tribute band.  Lyrically there are some common themes as heard in this song. ‘By the Time I Get to Mexico” feels like a less moody version of Adrenaline-era Deftones., but with more chaotic Slayer guitar solos thrown in. “Mr. Microphone” is heavy, but it’s all over the place in the beat down it tries to serve up. They would get points for having Daryl Taberski from Snapcase, though it’s a flailing temper tantrum of sonic chaos, and though there is none of the syncopated kick that was the signature of Daryl’s band. 

This band’s take on the nu-metal revival carries much merit. This band cares about songwriting even when they slip into knotting. This gives them the edge over many bands of their ilk who care more about tuning down to B and getting the right amount of beef in the bass tone. This album is a lot of fun and fans of this weird bridge between metal-core and nu-metal that has been cropping up recently, are going to appeal to younger audiences you might not have caught the bands these guys wink in the direction of back in the nineties. The big old tattooed dudes with Integrity shirts and arms folded in the back of venues might shake their heads at this, but these guys go for it in a fresh new way you can’t fault them for. 

Buy the album here:
https://www.thebarbariansofcalifornia.com/

8 / 10
WIL CIFER
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