Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Botch - An Anthology of Dead Ends (2002)
Botch was a chaotic metallic hardcore band like no other. Their chaos is more controllable and never annoying, it's systematic chaos! This EP has concluded the band's career in a mind-blowing ending. There's a chill of mathcore magnitude in An Anthology of Dead Ends!
I wish the band could last longer instead of ending after almost a decade, but it's just as well. By the time Botch spilt up, many influenced mathcore bands have spawned to take its place. Anyway, about this release... There's a lot of anger in the 4 songs that are 3 to 4 minutes long. All of the song titles are each named after a different country, but all the N's are replaced with M's. Not quite creative naming, but it works.
First track titled "Spaim" is a 14-second intro. Then "Japam" is an excellent hardcore metal song with cool time changes and riff-wrath that just had to be there. That song has really blown me away, but not as much later on in the EP...
"Framce" sounds closer to their last album We are the Romans with their conventional desire handed more organically. "Vietmam" pays off with its methodical mechanism of guitar and bass. However, it's a little plodding with less orchestration and more flexibility. The colorful harmonies and riffs and false starts and stops seem to be lacking in that song. However, Knudson has natural guitar work and the rhythm section stays solid through unorthodox intricacy.
The excellent fifth track "Afghamistam" is what blows me away the most. I know, it's insane that I, a heavier metal fan, like such a mellow track, but I won't lie, this song gave me a monstrous chill at first listen. After the first two soft minutes, the drums start to play the cymbals eventually getting louder, then after those two minutes, suspenseful eerie piano plays alongside cello. Then after those two minutes, the sampled talking was already rising when distorted feedback segues to the last track. "Micaragua" begins the distortion going on for a minute before a methodical drum solo builds slowly and heavier until... a massive vocal/guitar blast to blow you away! It's such a rare moment of awe that can stun you. Its hardcore sound fits well with the production, ending the album and their career in a mighty bang. Botch has truly created a final grand surprise for the entirety of their fanbase.
If you're a hardcore fan like I am, you should totally get this EP. I was prepared for that sonic assault, yet still surprised more than any other band. It might sound mellow and restrained, but it sounds great with all that maturity and inspiring emotion mixed with the usual chaos. A great mathcore swansong! Botch is gone but shall remain #1.....
Favorites: "Japam", "Afghamistam", "Micaragua"