HOW DID I NOT WRITE ABOUT THIS ON 4/20?

At some point late yesterday afternoon I smacked myself in the forehead and gave a postively Homerian cry of “D’oh!” as I realized that I had completely forgotten to give a listen to the new Suicide Silence song, “Lifted,” which is currently streaming on the group’s MySpace page.

And that’s why you shouldn’t smoke so much pot, kids.

So. “Lifted.” Alright, let’s talk about this bitch!

I think it’s important for Suicide Silence to show some musical progression from The Cleansing. That’s how they’re going to prove they’re not just part of a passing trend. The Job for a Cowboy of Genesis doesn’t sound exactly like the Job for a Cowboy of Doom, right? And I think that fact has been a part of that band’s continued success.

And, hey, lookit that, “Lifted” doesn’t sound exactly like the material from The Cleansing, neither! Granted, it’s not a ginormous departure – no need to alienate your fan base, after all – but I’ll be damned if this doesn’t have more textures and flavors to it than the simple blunt force trauma of, say, “Unanswered” (Did producer Machine have something to do with this? He certainly managed to divide Lamb of God fans by pulling a similar trick with Sacrament, an album I happen to love.).

I’m really digging that shit with the spaced out guitars, and then the swirling lead at the end… yes, this is a good song to call “Lifted,” and good song to enjoy over a nice full bowl. And it makes me really intrigued to hear the rest of the band’s new album, No Time to Bleed, which Century will release on June 30.

Now go listen for yourself and then come back and tell me why I’m right and Suicide Silence rock, or why I’m wrong and they suck.

-AR