"Cycle Of Contempt" by Razor (THEIR WORST ALBUM YET?) | ALBUM REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- What should've been a hearty bowl of Canadian thrash stew ends up bland and foul after being left in the sun for 25 years.
"Cycle Of Contempt" by Razor
Released September 23rd 2022 via Relapse Records
Produced by Razor
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I gave it a listen, never heard of razor before. I loved it instantly! Its cheesy and cookie cutter yes, but it is fast and straight to the point and i love it!
Listen to the albums Evil Invaders, Violent Restitution and Shotgun Justice...and your life won't be the same! 😉
@@immanuel_cunt7688 haha ok i'll try them!
bro.... Razor is anything but cookie cutter... go spin Violent Restitution and it'll blow you away
Success should never be gauged by popularity....Razor have a consistent catalogue of pummeling thrash metal....so production not withstanding...
It's classic Razor....All Fist Fighting 👊
On the money.
I actually think this is amazing. One of the best modern thrash albums for an 80s thrash band I've ever heard! Hate the cover art. Love the fuckin music!!!
I'm happy for you,though I can't really agree. Razor post Violent is a much weaker band to me, but I will still see them in London in Nov.
@@robcarrier1969 Open Hostility absolutely rips dude. Drum Machine or not. Lol
@@sadboi7537 I will listen again, this new one has grown on me, even though objectively I can't defend it.
I love Evil Invaders! That buzzsaw thrash guitar tone on that record is freaking crazy! I haven't listened to the new one, though...
I am working on a script right now for a video about safer alternatives to controversial black metal bands (including some NSBM bands for the controversial ones). Pray for me to not get absolutely annihilated by Varg Vikernes fanboys in the comments like J Morris did... 🤞😬
Lmao honestly few things move videos faster than black metal fanboy/elitist rage. Let em go nuts, it'll only mean more views for you. Looking forward to seeing what you got, sounds like a cool video.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial Yup, it's gonna' be FUUUUUUUN... 😈*rubs hands together*
What do you mean by safe alternatives?
Not trve 😡
Welp, they’re already here! 😬😨🤣🤣🤣🤣 Cover for me, Robert!
Complaining about Razor's tough guy lyrics? Have you heard Shotgun Justice? I agree with the production woes but it's in line with the Reid era. You only mentioned the early Razor Sheepdog records which leads me to believe you thought it was gonna be something similar to that, and that band hasn't existed since 1988. Worst Thrash record of the year? Not even close. If you were expecting Evil Invaders part 2, you had unrealistic expectations.
I think the record is a solid 7 out of 10, way better than the record that came before it.
Good thing I wasn't expecting Evil Invaders Part 2 then, just a decent thrash record.
I'll concede Razor has lyrically NEVER been that bright of a band, but this whole album just bleeds dumb tough guy bullshit, moreso than any other Razor album in my opinion.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial Razor's been making albums with dumb tough guy bullshit lyrics since Violet Restitution. This is just continuing the trend. This is most definitely not their finest hour, but I'll still take this over 99% of the modern thrash bands that copy classic bands like Razor, who pioneered the tough guy thrash style (I guarantee you Pantera had a copy of Violent Restitution before they made Cowboys From Hell). Personally I think you just aren't a fan of the Reid era (many Razor fans aren't) which is a shame, cause Shotgun Justice is probably their best record next to Violent Restitution (both records you didn't mention in your review).
I think you are just trolling for views with your cover image. 1 out of 10? Really? Worst Thrash record of the year? I understand you are disappointed but that's a far stretch to claim it's THAT BAD! You are saying this is St Anger bad? Cause that's a album I'd give a 2 out of 10, and this is miles (or kilometers) better. 1's being reserved for basement nazi black metal bands.
I'm just happy we finally have new Razor material, go see the band live if you wanna relive the classics. You live in southern Ontario, go see them next time they play.
@@razorruke Aiight, couple things:
1) I gave it a 1.5/5, not a 1/10. Those are two different scores.
2) I didn't say this was St. Anger-level bad. Don't put words in my mouth.
3) I'm not trolling and I've no issue with the Dave Reid era material as a whole, I just prefer those earlier records.
If you dig the record, good for you man. But you gain nothing from intentionally misunderstanding me and my words which I'm certain is what you're doing. Agree to disagree, no harm done, move on.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial "I've no issue with the Dave Reid era"
You can't even get the singers name right 👍😂
Unfortunately, the mix is not that great, especially for the guitar to be in the background like this. I agree with you that it is about a 7 out 10, but it is not a total let down as shown in this review. I was surprised that Violent Restitution was never mentioned. I'll take that album over Armed and Dangerous or Executioner's Songs (except for Take this Torch) any day, as good as they are.
All I take away from this review is Dying Fetus rules!
But they’re mind numbingly misogynistic.
Edgy, yes, buuut I enjoyed most of the album. If they cut out the closing track, I’d be satisfied. Now, I’m excited to hear your opinion about the upcoming albums from Tankard and Xentrix😅
I feel like my opinions on Tankard should be obvious lmao. Didn't even know Xentrix had a new album but I can't say I'm crazy pumped, wasn't that into their last album.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial I really liked the latest Xentrix record! But I’m also a thrash metal maniac as you put it in this video xD Would be cool having you do a review of the new album which is out 4th of November as far as I know.
I loved that last song. Reminded me of Goof Soup.
If i may, speaking of "what to do next":
I went through the playlist of past videos real quick, and i don't seem to find a review of Evil Envaders' latest record that came out in April 2022.
I maaaay have talked about them in an ALBUMS I MISSED video back in April but I don't really remember. Cool band though.
I DISAGREE!!!!
Love the pun.
WE DISAGREE!!!
the album is Brilliant , give it a listen and make your own mind up, a lot better than most of the crap coming out just now, it totally kicks the new megadeth album to the curb
I agree. The album is so fucking good. Disagree about the Megadeth album though that one is also great imo.
After Stace McLaren left in '89, it was all downhill from there. The Bob Reid era, in my estimation, has seen one of the biggest about-face slumps of any metal band. Violent Restitution and Evil Invaders are frequented CDs in the car, and I blow the stereo out. From day one, Bob Reid sounded like he smoked 5 packs a day with his dry rice krispy vocals. Open Hostility was ok, but jesus h christ everything else from Bob Reid is AWFUL!
Well...this album exist. thats the nicest thing i can say about it, but hey, look at the bright side, at least its better than Psychosexual
Anything and everything is a step up from anything and everything with Jeremy Spencer.
Honestly I’ve considered thrash metal to be a stale genre for years now. You have some older bands that still put out some good material (Voivod, Megadeth, Kreator), and a few select bands that are somewhat unique (Revocation and Vektor), but it seems the vast majority is either: boring retro thrash metal revivalism (Havok, Warbringer, Lost Society, Nuclear Assault) or generic crossover pizza thrash (Municipal Waste, Iron Raegan, Lich King, Toxic Holocaust). I don’t mean to seem like a boomer, but I just don’t find enjoyment in a lot of modern thrash metal.
I dont even disagree, but try Vulture and Power Trip before completely giving up
Honestly I disagree. Yes, thrash has declined quite a bit, but there are still amazing thrash bands out there. Bands like Ripper (Death/Thrash), Birth AD (Crossover), and Division Speed show that you can still make good, original thrash.
The mainstream thrash bands are ass, but if you dig a bit, you can find some great stuff.
Nuclear Assault ?
“A biting dose of adrenalized thrash no different than the way Razor have done it since first issuing Executioner's Song in 1985.”
- Loudwire
“It's another ripper that hearkens right back to their classic era.”
- Brooklyn Vegan
“Razor have returned after a 25-year gap between albums with the most exhilarating record of their almost four-decade career: the lethal Cycle Of Contempt.”
- Invisible Oranges
“Thankfully Razor’s return is nothing less than triumphant. Is it their best album? Time will tell. Cycle of Contempt is a welcome comeback.”
- Ghost Cult
“Cycle of Contempt is a severe testament from a band ready to return.
- New Noise Magazine
"Razor keeps the essence of old school thrash metal alive with more energy and strength than in the '80s.”
- La Heavy Spain
“ “Sharp and aggressive carrousel of cutting blades. Old school thrashing exactly as it should thrash! Full points!”
- Spark Magazine (Czech Republic)
"a first-class thrash album that perfectly captures the I-grab-your-collar-and-smash-your-face-feeling typical of RAZOR."
- Rock Hard Germany
Wow thats a lot of copium my dude.
Bad ass review! Any plans to do darker still from parkway drive?
Nope, not even remotely interested frankly.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial ah got you. Honestly I can’t blame you the album is pretty awful in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing what you do next!
You feeling bored about this album is how i feel about thrash in general nowadays, im a thrasher and i cannot tell you how much i tried to lie to myself and say that the new Destruction album was great. Municipal Waste has always been boring and cheesy to me and hearing you say how terrible the new Razor album is makes me wish that they stayed disbanded. Sure, we got bands like Nervosa, Toxic Holocaust, Havok (kinda), Evile, and Warbringer to keep things interesting but none of them have truly brought anything to the table that makes them standout imo.
I kinda feel that. I do enjoy a lot of the bands you've named here BUT in general I would agree that thrash metal as a genre has gotten stale and lost a lot of its momentum and power. There are few bands willing to go into more ambitious territory and too many ready to rehash the same Slayer/Exodus/Suicidal Tendenices riffs over and over and over.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial couldn't agree more, although thrash has aged like rotten grapes left out in the hot sun, the genre was able to stick around even when we thought it was truly dead. I just feel like Blackened Thrash needs to do something new quick before it rots away like it's predecessor.
Guess Every Metal Band can't be a big name in the Metal Community 😐😯
What do you mean by that?
11 months later I actually grew to like it. It ain't no Executioner's Song, Evil Invaders or Violent Restitution, but I listen to it quite often still...
It's not bad but yeah bad mixing 2.5/5
Sadly, I agree. What I've heard so far has been quite bland and/or cringe. Snare seems overly loud, but the guitar has a nice crunch to it. Evil Invaders and Violent Restitution are still their top albums, imo.
Somebody is complaining a lot about high class albums of 2022! I can't get it...
Razor has never been known for being cerebral or ground breaking. One of those bands that just do what they do. If I want to listen to an 80’s thrash band that is better than ever, I usually go with Kreator.
Understandable, Kreator rules. Testament and Voivod remain pretty damn solid nowadays too.
I think that that's the best Razor's album just because the King Shit song. That's just an awesome example of what thrash metal should be nowadays. Not sure if this review is serious lmao.
Am I a bad person for loving this album? It's just so fun for me
Nah this guy is just up his own ass this album is fun
I will say about Cycle Of Contempt, if nothing else it’s definitely Razor’s funniest album. The lyrics and vocals on a lot of these songs are so goddamn stupid that they’re actually kind of hilarious. This album is hardcore bro metal cheesy and while it may not necessarily be good, it’s definitely entertaining.
Their guitarist Dave Carlo is partially blind, with that in mind the album will sound better i think.
I'm a Razor fan as well and I was disappointed by this album. Their first 5 albums with Sheepdog are their best; especially Evil Invaders, Malicious Intent, and my favorite Violent Restitution. The next 2 with Bob Reid were still decent but Decibels was underwhelming. I was hoping that this would be a step up but the production, lyrics, and vocals on this album were just not very good.
Yeah, this record wasn't really it. The riffs, and instrumental performances were all pretty on-point, but the incredibly bizarre songwriting choices like vocal filters, the lifeless, murky production compared to something like Shotgun Justice, the out-of-place features, and the heftier doses of tough guy posturing really hurt the album. That being said, I have ton of respect for Razor being able to write, and put this one out with everything that Dave Carlo was going through.
Also, I don't want to accuse you of plagiarism, but I think this review takes too many points from Steel Druhm's on Angry Metal Guy.
Honestly I'm noticing that myself now lmao, thanks for the heads up. Those guys do good work and I don't wanna step on their toes, I think maybe I was just struggling to think of a better way to put things.
Great album.
Oof. Yikes indeed. Well, I'll be checking this out, but forwarned I guess. I really like them and in fact every metalhead I am friends with around here holds them in the highest esteem, and well they should. But lately I have been thinking that even in their live sets it might be that some of the struggles Dave has been facing (not just his wife, either, the list is longa nd kind of tragic honestly) might be effecting the performances. It's too bad but I have to say that my expectations were not as high as they maybe could have been. I'm still hoping I'll enjoy it more than you do but we'll see. I don't really listen to Decibels much either and that one's 25 years old!
I was excited when I discovered that Razor was planning a new album back in 2017, and I was hoping it would be an improvement over Decibels. Five years of waiting later...and I am as disappointed as you are. I do agree the songs are cookie-cutter and the production doesn't make much sense, but to be fair, there are a couple songs that I could listen to and say "Yeah, this is 'ok' I guess." I love all of Razor's albums, EPs and demos from 1983 all the way up to 1992, and their 1994 compilation Exhumed should've been the last official release. Decibels should have been left just as an instrumental demo back in '92 and the band should've stayed broken up instead of coming back in '97, because in my honest opinion, Razor is not gonna be able to re-capture what made them legendary in the first place. Dave Carlo and his crew need to retire.
The problem with this album is that it wasn't mixed right to have that sound it needed. It sounds too clean, too modern. Whereas albums like Open Hostility & Decibels were mixed the way they should be, they had that perfect sound.
It's not a bad album, it just sounds too clean.
That last tankard one was pretty ehh as well i remember when that came out
If you dont want bravado, macho, then listen to George Michael and Pink. Gay parade review
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ Razor, one of my favorite thrash bands. I am so fucking disappointed. I couldn’t agree more with Jammin Jon and Necrotic Nick of Thralls saying the Production is very “static” and the drums sounding very “programmed” and that there needed to be way more variety in the songwriting department. I couldn’t hear the Guitar as well. Some of these riffs sound like them copying Slayer. What was once a Very Sharp/Violent/ vicious knife is now just so very dull and lost some of its teeth. 1/5
considering they used a drum machine for Open Hostility, i wouldn't be surprised.
I love it so far. The album artwork is hilariously metal too.
the only big "but" is the mix of the sound, it sounds too "monophonic" and the drums seem to have been programmed instead of being a person of flesh and blood who is really playing said instrument; from then on it is the best I have heard in terms of thrash and speed metal it has been released this 2022
Love it...Crossed is one of many excellent tracks on it...
Wowzers !! am a fan of razor love violent restitution evil invaders however I'm going to agree with your slapt ass on this one as I checked it out I was saying ....uh what are they doing!!? buuuuuuuh!!! however still a fan of this band just have to wait till next time aye 🤘👊💯🧠😋...brutal day to all
Yeah…its basic, wierd mix too i mean its listenable but the drums are 50% louder then everything else, also man i really hoped sheepdog would be back on vocals
Call it "dumb" is actually pretty dumb 🥴 for a 2022 album my friend, I’d say this is an OK album. Not the greatest but definitely not "dumb".
You're being too hard on them. It's not their worst album, not by a longshot. Custom Killing was absolutley their cheapest and worst release. Also, the album cover seems to have an anti-corporate/anti-rock star message. Reminds me why these guys made the worst business decisions and never made money. They could have moved to the United States and made a killing here! But no, they had to be proud Canadians. Razor might have been a contender for The Big Four.
It's horrible... The best thing are the solos!? 😅 Felt the same when the new Sacred Reich came out...super underwhelming... Should've left it alone. Let's hope the new Coroner doesn't suck, whenever it's ready...2032? 😬
This album is so bad its physically painful. Like I went deaf listening to it. Razor's 80s albums are some of the most badass thrash metal ever written. How did they fall so low.
Also unrelated but Anvil is Canadian?
They are! Infact they're from my city of Toronto, Ontario!
@@themetalmeltdownofficial thats awesome
Lol Tankard released an album this year? I haven't seen or heard anyone review it. Is Tankard even all that big?
It comes out next week but I've already heard it in full. Its lame, just like every other Tankard album. Some would argue Tankard are big, they've even been mentioned as members of a 'Teutonic 4' alongside Kreator, Destruction, and Sodom. I'd feel more comfortable with it being a Teutonic 3 though...
@@themetalmeltdownofficial Holy Moses deserves to be in the big four way more then Tankard
An acceptable compromise, Holy Moses are great.
Just paused this video to go see what you're talking about. Big oof, the two singles reuse the same drum beat and the vocalist sounds mid-stroke.
*sigh*. Im more dissapointed in Razor. Not mad, but they have and can do better. This album was really hindered by production more than anything. If anything makes it dumber than the cover art and maybe lyrics. It's the shoe on the hands production. It sounds too loud, and too quiet at the same time. Drums sound sterile, Bass is way too loud (in a not good way, as a bassist myself), the guitars sound like they were shoved in the back of the mix, and the vocals just sound like theyre lacking bite
I was disapointed with this album...
Same bro I can’t deal with the drum sounds
That sucks I like Razor. :/
I liked one of the promo tracks a lot. Ordered the album. It’s not great. It has moments. I couldn’t get through the whole thing on first listen. Too much repetition. I like some ‘bad production’ but this mix is pretty dreadful. take out the words ‘punch’ ‘fight’ and ‘fists’ and you barely have lyrical content. Bummer cause I do like the singer a lot
I fuckin love Razor with Sheepdog, but I can't disagree with you here. Such a disappointment.
This album hurt my ears and my heart. I loved Razor but was never a big fan post Sheepdog. This album sounds so bad and dated. There are some bad ass thrashy bits but overall it's not good at all.
This album sucks and it pissed me off. I love Razor so much, every song on their first few albums are great. Even Decibels was a good album. This just sounded bad and generic. Laaaammeeee
they really want us to believe that they didnt use programed drums on this album ? Razor was always C league thrash band, more speed than thrash. All I want from canadian thrash grandpas is new Sacrifice album. DO IT ALREADY ROB
It certainly feels like programmed drums at times, especially with those cymbals.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial I know that sound because I used same drum program called ezeedrummer for my band. and it was trial version hahahaha
@@dekapitatorr I am sure Decibels has programmed drums. However, Razor has a permanent drummer for several years now. I would be surprised that he would put aside like that and Dave would just put a picture(s) of him on the CD. Rider Johnson plays very tight live. There are many Razor shows with him on YT.
@@Canuck1000 I think Open Hostility has programmed drums. the whole mix on new album is horrible and drums are done in ezdrummer for sure. I know that sound. too cheap production for Relapse records and anticipated album like this one.
@@dekapitatorr You are correct about Open Hostility. Dave admitted a few years later that he had to use a drum machine for a few tracks because Rob Mills was injured in a car crash and could not complete the album. There is also a bootleg version of Decibels available on YT when Dave was writing it (without vocals). It is much faster (and brutal) than the final version and it was done with a drum machine. I also agree the mix for CoC is not good. Take care.
It’s sad to see some of my favorite thrash metal bands like Razor, Toxik, and Evildead putting out new albums 20-30 years after disbanding only for them to strip away everything that made them unique and submit to the other generic modern thrash metal bands. When will these bands learn that mastering the fuck out of their recordings with modern technology makes them sound generic and bland?
I totally hear ya brother...i feel the same way...dubble bassdrums and Andy Sneap productions were the axe to the Thrash roots...but i have to say...that last Evildead album is one of the view that sounds brilliant and dont have those bassdrums all the way up...nor does it sound to mechanically....i think its par with the first album...also qua songwriting...absolutely love that new album...but further u r so right...the metal is sounds the less Metal it gets...its what they call "the war on loudness"... whole artical about in the NYTimes...it will concure everything u say...
I guess the Gaerea record isn't very good?
I honestly haven't listened to it yet so no comment. Heard good things so far though.
What do you mean isn't very good you'll see when he does review it.
And that album is really good
Well I listened to this damn thing. I just gotta say Metal Trenches should put up a cringe meter for each song. These lyrics are FFDP level. Razors album will certainly be in my top 10 worst metal albums of the year. If I want good 2022 thrash I will listen to either Municipal Waste or Soulfly. This album was just sad .
You’re sad you’re a sad little boy. Talk about cringe worthy
@@zacknewcombe3340 You seem to know more about me than just my comment.
Their worst album? Says who......😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Old men trying to write songs for 13 year Olds never works
Razor did experiment with Custom Killing (at the request of Sheep Dog), which almost killed the brand Razor. Dave Carlo came back with a vengeance with Violent Restitution to show that Razor was not dead. If this album had the production of VR, it would have been even better.
I actually love custom killing.
Sick riffs and drumming!
@@christophergleason1307 At that time, I thought it was good, but I preferred Malicious Intent (even with the annoying ride cymbal).
I'm sorry dude this album is really good. I've been listening to Razor since the beginning and this record kicks ass. What's even more miraculous is that Dave Carlo is almost blind now, due to some health issues but yet he's still able to spit out those riffs. Based on your estimation I must be dumb because I love King Shit. It's a blistering song that is very humorous.
Razor never got big bc they weren’t a good band. Simple. New stuff is solid thrash but just not good.
The stupid album cover sums up the intelligence with this band.
🇨🇦🤘🇨🇦
Man, it sounds like even Decibels was better than this.
I would argue it is, though admittedly not MUCH better...
Good point.
Psh. Whatever dude.
Ohhh ohhh worst review ever ... still him with his pathetic reviews, can't guess one, it would be time to change hobbies