Review
War From A Harlots Mouth
MMX

War from a Harlots Mouth is definitely not new to the metal core or death core scene. They’ve been around a while, done tours, essentially put in their time. But, how has this experience shaped them when it comes to writing and recording? The blunt answer seems to be that it hasn’t in a big way.

What we get is well-played death core with a technical bent to it. What this means for the listener is another band with a ton of ability, but who haven’t come into their own where songwriting is concerned. The songs move at a rapid pace and have good breakdowns and interesting instrumental parts to them, but, it seems as though each song plays as a somewhat mashed-together version of the one before it.

The songs are entertaining, for certain. They each play with good rhythm and dynamics. The problem that I seem to be coming back to is they don’t feel like songs. The disc seems to blaze by with few stand-out sections.

The band clearly have more talent than the review seems to acknowledge. Each member plays their instrument admirably. Unfortunately, this still sounds like a bad prog band. They have heaps of talent, but are unfocused when it comes to writing and putting together songs.

Sure, talent goes a long way. But, talent at playing your instrument and talent at songwriting are two different commodities. Without the second, you get the same complaint of lack of structure most tech-obsessed bands get. This is unfortunate for WFAHM, as they clearly have skills. And, in some cases, even strong parts of songs that sometimes fit together. Unfortunately, their ADD seems to kick in and throw these ideas to the side to make room for another breakdown or tech riff.

This is an admirable admission into the death core sweepstakes. It is certainly played better than 90% of the bands of this style could hope to play. But, as an album, regardless of genre, the band have some way to go before they create something above and beyond. The band seem to still be feeling around for what they are trying to do. This is also evident in that the band are 3 albums into their career and still feel undeveloped in some ways.