Take the Scorpions' voice and put it to a heavier Alice in Chains sound and shake it vigorously. What comes out are the sounds of Laugh at the Fakes. Listening to this band is like listening to all the colours of the seasons; sitting and hearing the different tones and changes pulls me into the song as it sits beside me and revolves around my brain. These Toronto guys show us that the new generation of metal is no joke.
We start the ride with a couple of head bangers: "Not Like Me", a rockin, heavy tune that starts out with some chunky chugging guitars and winds up whipping up a storm. Then there's "Death Awaits" that just kicks you in the face from the beginning! The bass riff before the bridge and the vocal part reminds me of Death Angel. (The selling point here is the breakdown.) "Cut to the Chase" mellows things out a bit. The vocals lose the Scorp' feel in this one. The ending has that Dream Theater sound in the arrangement.
Next is the riff-fest of "Killing Time". They show their Iron Maiden influence in this one while keeping originality."Fighting Dirty" gives us the "hot water-cold water" treatment and more bass riffage! (Now they're just suckin-up to me.) This song could work as an instrumental as well if they wanted it to. I like the thrash flavor in "Got no Regrets", and the jazzness of "Harmonica Playing Man" that sets a melancholy mood.
"And I" is a mid-tempo ditty that lacks no heaviness or melody. This brings us to the end and the title track - "Dethrone the Crown" is like being trapped in a tall punching bag and the whole band gets their kicks on you. Now that I have been blinded by the brutality of the last number, I am forced to give my report - "Thank you, may I have another!" Its beat downs like this that make me feel so alive.
Downside is…gimme’ a sec, I'll think of something....Upside are the songs, songwriting, arrangement and musicianship; heavy rhythm section that powers the vocals and leads. The songs differ from one another so there's no boredom and the mellow songs aren't so slow they put you to sleep. All in all I give Laugh at the Fakes "Dethrone the Crown" a big, fat 10!
Tim Duran, HMS
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