The Charm The Fury
The Sick, Dumb & Happy
(Nuclear Blast/Arising Empire)
It’s nice when a band realizes they need to regroup and retool. Dutch group The Charm The Fury released a mediocre debut, A Shade of My Former Self, in 2013, which was just another average metalcore release in a world that didn’t need another average one. Vocalist Caroline Westendorp’s vocals definitely stood out, but the music didn’t. There was the hint of potential there in the thrashy and groove-oriented riffs, but that was all we heard from the band in four years, and it’s clear The Charm The Fury got the message: evolve or die (metaphorically).
Hell, one look at the neon album art, and it’s clear this isn’t the same group. From the first note on The Sick, Dumb & Happy, The Charm The Fury gleefully shout that this isn’t the same band. (You could say they are a shade of their former selves, but the pun is too easy.) The thrash and groove moments from their debut blossomed into a full-on re-branded sound. This is still a metalcore album, but aside from the modern-styled “No End In Sight”, this is clearly a different band. The band cites Pantera and Metallica as influences, and those are easily detectable throughout. Machine Head and Slipknot are other clear influences, but with a hardcore bend. The record offers up a nice diversity of sound, too.
Unfortunately, that also means the record can feel a bit scattershot in a couple instances. The hard rock-fueled “Silent War” is a mediocre ballad, and the doom rock of “Blood and Salt” lacks momentum. However, by the last third of the record, when they’ve gone full-on southern metalcore, The Charm The Fury turn on the full brunt of their talents and, well, charm. The mix of punk, southern rock, and doom metal recalls the heavier moments of He Is Legend, which is a group that more bands should look to (to be fair, I think it has more to do with the two bands’ shared influences and guitar tone than anything else). It’s clear that when the group goes full groove, they are at their best (see “Weaponized” and the last two tracks- real bangers).
Much of The Sick, Dumb & Happy feels like a stepping stone to the next step for a potentially great band, like The Charm The Fury are still mid-transformation. The Dutch group clearly and smartly have evolved from their stale metalcore roots into something that is much more engaging, entertaining, and more influenced by older metal. That said, it doesn’t feel dated or like a cheap imitation of bands past. With Westendorp’s excellent vocals (she’s even better here) and a much heavier and diverse musical background, The Charm The Fury are becoming the real deal.
Purchase the album here: Nuclear Blast | Amazon
