Killer Be Killed

Lyricist: Killer Be Killed.
Personnel: Juan Montoya (guitars).
Audio Mixer: Josh Wilbur.
Recording information: The Fortress, Los Angeles, CA.
A supergroup featuring some of heavy music's heaviest hitters, Killer Be Killed don't disappoint on their vigorous self-titled debut. Featuring Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato, groove metal legend Max Cavalera, Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders, and Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch, the band's opening salvo is a crushing blend of thrash and groove metal that finds its members tempering one another's influence without losing their individuality. And while the music is, unsurprisingly, pretty devastating, the vocals are the real treat here. Sharing vocal duties, Sanders, Puciato, and Cavalera rotate in and out on every song, playing to their own strengths as they tag-team their way through the album. In a way, the band feels like a reaction to the wildly creative projects its members have been part of, allowing these guys to let off some steam and rock hard for the sake of rocking hard. Fortunately, it makes for a fine album of chug-heavy metal that'll make fans of these guys glad that their hobby from making killer music is to make more killer music. ~ Gregory Heaney