No alarms and no surprises. "Monsters", as usual, adheres to FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND's patented Emo-laced-with-Husker-Du urgency, effects lift-off quickly and finds them sounding more ferocious and memorably melodic than usual.
Which is a step in the right direction, but even allowing for the growling basslines, gear-shifting guitars and drilled dynamics, "Monsters" still isn't enough for this writer to believe FFAF are more than a one-trick pony being mercilessly flogged in the long run. Yeah, they're long on devotion, their commitment to themselves and (more importantly) their fans is nigh-on exemplary, but they simply lack the magic. And, for all the blood, sweat, toil and Iron Maiden supports, that will ultimately make the difference.
So that's their bi-monthly dressing down meted out once more. Next...
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