Struck By Lightning came out the gate hard and fast about 3 years ago with their first LP "Serpents". That record truly set them apart from the ex-members of... tag that they could've carried. Instead of playing the post metal of past projects they built a sound that was more indebted to Discharge than Isis. This worked well for them as their instrumental prowess was allowed to shine at times while remaining locked into a general arena. So with their second full length it is time to see if they can remain consistent.
Right out of the gate the band starts blasting away grunting into the D-beat start of "Sickening Reality". This doesn't last as at some point they start mixing in melodeath riffing which somehow works for them and finally a solo and breakdown. These things do work within the context of the song but do alot to seemingly make the song go on longer than necessary. By the next song "Stalk And Prey" the band is back in fine form. The song lasts shy of 2 minutes and speeds along at a brisk pace relying on its fury to carry it. This juxtaposition is something that goes on throughout the record. For every rager there's another song that doesn't drag but adds extra parts. While it doesn't seem entirely necessary it does keep the record going and allows the band to be something more than a new school d-beat metal band.
the production is just gritty enough letting everything come through clearly without overtaking the mix or sounding too grimy. The guitars seem pretty forward in the mix, which is generally nice as they do have more than a few change ups throughout the songs. The drums in and of themselves are something to relish in as the drummer changes beats on a dime without sounding too technical. The fills and general human element of the drums help the overall sound immensely.
Overall this record is a good, but not great, continuation of the previous album and shows the band heading in a more broad musical direction. All the filth and fury is still there it's just clouded at times by more parts. Sometimes it works very well sometimes not as much but it does always work.
