Killer Be Killed

(Nuclear Blast)

Genealogy first: Killer Be Killed equals Max Cavalera from Sepultura/Soulfly, Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan, Troy Sanders of Mastodon, and Dave Elitch of the Mars Volta. Given that pedigree, it’s no shock that the music plays mix-and-match with elements of every participant’s homebrew: Sanders’ epic melodics, Cavalera’s death-infused thrash, Puciato’s whiplash shape-shifting, all laced with politically charged hardcore dynamics. Elitch is the record’s secret weapon. His stylistic versatility and airtight grooves keep riffs on point no matter what universe they hail from.

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This article appears in June 27 • 2014.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.