Starkweather - Crossbearer (1992)^{Release ID: 8922}

Metalcore is, by definition, a mix of metal and hardcore, and the earliest albums of the genre were simply that. They didn't follow any of the trends that would spawn in the new millennium. Starkweather was formed in Philadelphia, in the year the two other creators of metalcore were formed, 1989, and like those bands, they were determined to make a sharp rudimental sound of metallic hardcore. Their debut Crossbearer would be ahead of their time!

I said that because, it was the year 1992, and they were already introducing new sonic elements into the genre they were helping pioneer. You can hear some alt-metal to remind you of Biohazard, Helmet, and Life of Agony, with a similar approach in the production.

In saying that though, you'll definitely hear p*ssed-off metalcore starting shortly after the intro verse of "Tumult". Then in "Mean Streets", there's a section where the vocalist performs almost a monastery-like ritual somewhere in the 30-second outro. "Rest the Soul" is not a song for rest and relaxation. Neither is "Lazarus Runs" which runs at a slow sludgy pace before leveling it up towards the end.

Beginning "Murder in Technicolor" is some Slayer-like riffing that's slowed down. Stretching beyond the limits again is "Shards". Then it segues into "Unto Me". Those two songs are indexed as one in later re-releases. "Picture It Obsidian" has more of a rock vibe and imagery.

The re-release comes with a few bonus tracks worth noting, starting with "The Rift", once again showcasing deranged vocals performed by Rennie Resmini; not hardcore, not metal, but in between. "Above the Rafters" puts you in a sleepy spell of slow energy like if you're in a bar that's also a hot stripper club (not saying that's anywhere I would go). "Desolate" has almost the same death-doomy pace as Paradise Lost at that time. Finally the riff-oriented "Shroud" is a hint at their later material.

With all that said, there's so much to digest, especially for those who have had a hard time finding this album before the reissue. Starkweather is still active, but their album release pace is very slow, having only released 3 more albums in the 30 years after their debut. Their material is very good, so hope they speed up that pace....

Favorites: "Tumult", "Lazarus Runs", "Shards", "Unto Me", "The Rift", "Above the Rafters"

An interesting release if nothing else. Starkweather’s debut seems to be labeled Metalcore mostly because it just doesn’t fit anywhere else, and in fact the album sounds like the band really had no idea what they were going for. It’s not bad, and definitely has an interest factor to it, but sounds unabashedly like an amateur band finding themselves.

The musicianship is very simple, and most of the time simple chords backed by basic beats carry the screaming vocalist in an anxious, occasionally depressive or angry atmosphere. The songs are way too long for what they have to offer. There are a few changes here and there, and the album is definitely hard to pin down. There’s Alt Metal, Heavy Metal, Trad Doom, Sludge, maybe even some Post-Punk in places, straight up Hardcore… and for lack of a better term we go with Metalcore.

I feel like these guys have a lot of potential, they just don’t find it here. However, it’s still a decent album with an interesting and unique palette to offer. Bonus track "Above the Rafters" is awesome.