Review: Cougar Den (s/t)

Artist: Cougar Den
Album: Cougar Den
Label: Self-Released

Most hardcore bands recon they can get by with pretending they’re a death metal outfit and leave the clichés of the genre do the rest. Melodic Hardcore group from Milwaukee WI, sees different potential in the genre and breaks the mold with their smashing self titled EP.

This break from the typical begins with the band’s nack for simply engrossing song compositions. Each song winds in and out of a confusing and brutal haze of noise, chucky guitar riffs, and pragmatic punchy base riffs, creating a great balance of sound that compliments vocalist Bobby Reitman’s wild, frustrated bark, as he belts out lyrics written by guitarist Justin Schmidt, with perfect angst ridden timing. Additionally, something you only wish were more common in the genre is accomplished here in that you can actually make out the words Reitman belts out as he rocks out behind the mic. Audible lyrics are a key component of Cougar Dens musical strategy and helps give the band a great deal more credibility.

The inspired song composition works wonderfully with Reitman’s vocals to give the album a brooding, angsty, forlorn feeling of absolute desperation and deprecation. This combined with meaningful song lyrics that inspire as much thought as awe, the album cements it’s self as a sure bet for all listeners, even those not normally keen to hardcore as a genre. Myself included.

Score: 6 out of 10

Check 'um out at: http://www.myspace.com/cougarden