Dumbfounded is one way to describe hearing Samurai Pizza Cats new album “Press Start” as I didn’t know anything about the band or their music; is it metalcore, deathcore, eletronicore or technocore, are they even a thing I don’t know, but what I do know is that it is catchy as hell and good fun.
In a world where everything is doom and gloom, this brings some much-needed levity, and while it may seem childish, it is exactly what we need right now. Electronic intro “Insert Coin” gives way to “Pandastruck” a blistering number that has killer synths, a massive drum beat and cutting riffs, when the verses are heavy as hell compared to seriously catchy chorus’ adding to the track’s appeal. “T-Rex(plosion) features Ankor opens up like it’s an RnB track with its melodic vocals before it descends into chaos in flurry of drums and screamed vocals, it’s intense, when the chorus hits Jessie William’s, Ankor front woman, soaring vocals are class even if they only last a line or two before normal service resumes, this is one of the standout tracks on the album.
“Fear No Slice” is one of the heavier tracks, fast and unyielding the band go all out here with a more definite metalcore vibe here, from monstrous verses to soaring chorus’, the synths and electro beats are strange on a song like this but the actually add to the overall heaviness of it, a great track.” Error 808” is more like something you would find on a techno or dance album, synths and bass beats rule the day with the only defining difference being the screamed vocals. “Level Up” is an electro interlude that leads into “Ramen-Man” full on with relentless beats and some Japanese metal insanity throw in in the form of Babybeard, this is a seriously tongue in cheek track that is absolutely mental; heavy drum and bass beats with screamed vocals add Babymetal style chorus’ and some savage riffery and you a complete contradiction of styles but that what makes it so appealing, a great track.
“Penguin Supreme” is another fun track in all senses. The theme of the song and the lyrical content are pure fun, all that being said musically it is actually quite heavy with a funky beat that defies you to stand still, while the vocals are killer, whether it be screamed or clean, a cracking tune. “Super Zero” is quite intense. After a calm opening, it drops to the depths of hell with growling vocals and a monster drum and bass beat. When the chorus hits, the vocals become clean, and the track feels a little lighter, even though the heavy beat is rumbling underneath. For my money, the best track on the album. “City Of Gold” is a turnaround from anything else on the album; it has an airy feel to it with clean melodic vocals throughout and a more upbeat vibe, a rock-solid track without all the chaos the band is renowned for. “Thanks For Playing” is a brief interlude leading to the closing track “Pizza Homicide(STVW Version) a remix of a previous release that, to my ears, has swapped out a lot of the metalcore elements in favour of a more techno approach, with the exception of the vocals, a funky way to end the album.
“Press Start” is out on the 27th of March via Century Media Records, and if you like a bit of chaos in your daily life, then this is the one for you.
Review: Conor
1. Insert Coin
2. Pandastruck
3. T-Rex(plosion) (feat. Ankor)
4. Fear No Slice
5. Error 808
6. Level Up
7. Ramen-Man (feat. BABYBEARD)
8. Penguin Supreme
9. Super Zero
10. City Of Gold
11. Thanks For Playing
12. Pizza Homicide – STVW VersionBand Members:
Sebastian Fischer – vocals
Daniel Haniß – guitars
Stefan Reufer – bass
Robin Scheer – drums
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