The Chariot

Item: Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing; Nothing Is Dead and Nothing Is Bleeding
Author: Justin Brinker

Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing; Nothing Is Dead and Nothing Is Bleeding

(2004)

Reviewed by Justin Brinker

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Label Solid State RecordsDecapolisDecember 2004

experimental hardcore metalcore

I admit I do not get what all the hype is about the hardcore/metalcore act The Chariot. I do know that many questioned why former Norma Jean vocalist, Josh Scogin, gone The Chariot left Norma Jean when it seemed like they were ready to conquer the world, metaphorically. I knew that scenesters everywhere would salivate over The Chariot because of Norma Jean's cultic status. I have been listening to Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing; Nothing Is Dead and Nothing Is Bleeding for about three weeks now and still I am at the same predicament: I just do not know about this record.

Everything I have heard or read about The Chariot has spoken of the brutality of The Chariot's sound. This is one area where the band does live up to its hype. Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing; Nothing Is Dead and Nothing Is Bleeding is one of the most brutal releases I have heard all year. The Chariot opted to record this record live in the studio without the help of any computer gadgetry or slick production to obviously capture what happens on stage.

This record reminds me of what a hardcore band sounds like when practicing or trying to write new material. There is no song structure, in the place of transitions The Chariot opts for awkward pauses and sloppy guitar riffs and a disjointed deafening rhythm section. This all takes place over Josh Scogin's manic screaming vocals. It would appear that each musician is doing their own thing unaware that anyone else is playing with them until a tempo change comes out of nowhere and puts them back on track as one unit. The feedback and repetition is what really kills this record. Every song is riddled with feedback to the point of excess and really hurts the songs. Much like Norma Jean's material the song titles remain insanely long while the lyrics are obtuse but still strong at some points.

The Chariot does possess a strong core of talented musicians, which is heard through uncanny tempo changes and at times brutal guitar work. There is no doubt that the Norma Jean faction and those who enjoy chaotic hardcore/metalcore will applaud this record. Unfortunately it is the chaotic nature that holds this record back causing the listener to take this disc out before getting halfway through the short-lived twenty-eight minute record.

1/4