Creep
"Struggle Within"
by D.M. Jones
I know I may need to get out more, but I have to admit that, before taking a glance at the artwork adorning Creep's new release, Struggle Within, I had never before seen a rotting skeletal member of the undead sporting a cool mohawk ˜do. Yes, this ghoulish Fort Wayne foursome offer a flair for the visual as well as aural in a Famous Monsters kinda way. If grinning skulls, rotting flesh, snazzy (if moldy) getups and eardrum-ripping, bowel-threatening metal are your style, get ready to hop on the Creep wagon.
The album kicks into gear right away, dispensing with any spooky pretense or formality as Creep dive straight into the wah-drenched White Zombie-isms of Castaway. Lurching in front of the double-kick-driven drums and suitably de-tuned guitars, BTHECREEP's croaking vocals give the song a nice fresh-from-the-grave guttural feel. It should be noted that these aren't the standard-issue glass-gargling, tough guy growls. B's gift is an unholy combination of Lemmy, Bon Scott, Slayer and some dead guy. It catches the ear, for sure. The vibe extends to the guitars (courtesy of the mysterious JR), which call to mind vintage Judas Priest at least as often as Dethklok. Of course, there are plenty of pummeling riffs to satisfy any self-respecting hardcore slam-dancing reanimated corpse, and the hijinks continues unabated throughout Struggle Within, especially during the pounding, squealing, roaring, Tears of Blood. A love song, I think.
Before shifting gears into stomping sludge-ville,
the chugging guitars and nearly-rapping vocals on High Noon make for a sprightly
stew (albeit seasoned with bat wings, goat's blood or something like that).
Among the more conventional gore-metal tracks, Harsh Reality stands out for its
sheer energy, disaffection and general hatred. Struggle Within is,
according to Creep's Myspace page (www.myspace.com/creeplair),
a suitable sonic counterpart to their visceral live show, which promises to
captivate spectators of all ages. Play this in the hearse on your way there.
You'll thank me later.
(D.M. Jones)
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