Albums That Will #$@&%*! Your Face Off in 2016: Conflicts, The North Slope
It’s January, and you know what that means — it’s time for MetalSucks’ seventh annual new year preview, Albums That Will #$@&%*! Your Face Off! As with previous years, we won’t be spotlighting all the great releases coming out this year, but, rather, concentrating on lesser-known bands whose new releases might otherwise escape your attention. Look for these posts by assorted MetalSucks staffers throughout the week. We hope you enjoy ‘em!
Conflicts
The North Slope
March 4, 2016
Kansas City has always been known for two things: a few sports teams that were irrelevant in the post-season until recently, and not actually being in Kansas (it’s in Missouri.) Other than the barbecue, there wasn’t much good ol’ KC could boast as its own, but that was before Conflicts came along. On March 4, one of Kansas City’s finest metal acts is dropping their second full-length album, The North Slope, which fans of Ion Dissonance, Advent, Slipknot and The Acacia Strain will love.
The North Slope is a bit of a change in style for these guys, however. Back when Conflicts first started up in 2011 they were a band with a sound that was very fast, heavy, and mechanical, with lots of breakdowns. Now, five years later, with a new line up and a new state of mind, their sound has shifted a little bit more towards the deathcore end of the spectrum, but not enough to lose their signature filthy sound. How filthy is Conflicts you ask? Picture a mudslide crashing into the Gathering of the Juggalos during a storm where crust punks fall from the sky instead of rain. Yeah. That dirty guitar tone is more addictive than everything with which the Juggalos and crust punks have substance abuse problems.
But the tone isn’t the only thing to love about these guys. Conflicts’ vocalist, Nigel Williams, has a great scream — he doesn’t have to sacrifice sounding brutal to make his lyrics understandable. The guitars are heavy enough to be deathcore but groovy enough to bang your head and not break your neck, and the drums have a great machinated pulsation to them that really brings out the aggressiveness of the rest of the instruments.
Listen to the single “Heart of Darkness” (below) if you dare, and be prepared to take a shower after because Conflicts are the filthiest motherfuckers in Kansas City.
