Picket Fence Cartel (Album Review)

Picket Fence Cartel by Project 86

(note: this is my official first album review on this blog! give me love! i do actually write a bit of reviews here and there but this is the first one that's going public)

Sound: Really heavy. As heavy as Project 86 has ever been but not "heavier than they've ever been." This defiantly genre a la hardcore. You can, though, hear Andrew Schwab's vocals with a bit more clarity than previous albums (especially better than on ...And the Rest Will Follow). The drumming is also punk-ish in places, which is a new for this band. But there is really nothing here that you probably haven't heard before. A synth here, a piano there, but mostly pounding guitar, deep bass, and flashing drums! Overall, what this band does, is done well. Rating: 7/10

Lyrics: Not so mysterious sounding as their album Rival Factions, but still a good dose of metaphors. Maybe a few too many "Bring it on, evil forces!" type songs but overall I like think this is their best lyrical work to date. If you have heard their song Spy Hunter off Songs to Burn Your Bridges By, then you'll have a good idea of the poetry laid down this time around. Rating: 8/10

Impression: The whole album is basically one big explosion without the headache of a lot hardcore these days. Though this disc repetitive, as in "loud", it does however poses a lot of good tempo changes. And if you liked Project 86 before listening the Picket Fence Cartel, your liking should remain. Rating: 7/10

Best Hits: The Butcher, Cold and Calculated, The Black Brigade.