Whitechapel – Our Endless War

Unending

When a band makes a name for itself within a small genre of music, they are known– especially here in the States. Metal of any variety is not considered mainstream music and it is often arguable if the mainstream heavy music that plays is, in fact, “metal” at all. Whitechapel is one of the more recognizable names in hardcore. Even with that they subject themselves to even further category called deathcore, a combination of the musical influence that is death metal lyrics played by a hardcore band.

Subcategories are ever growing and keeping up with them is a constant learning process. Though there is something to be said for being a pioneer of anything musical, forging a new subcategory will absolutely classify a band as such. Formed in 2006, from Knoxville, Tennessee, Whitechapel has released five albums in the span of eight years. The six-piece is made of Phil Bozeman on vocals, 
guitarists Ben Savage, 
Zach Householder and 
Alex Wade, 
drummer Ben Harclerode and Gabe Crisp on bass.

On what seems to be a never-ending tour and with some nature simulating a robotic shuffle of album releases, Whitechapel has been working nonstop and they show no signs of slowing down.

“Rise” is a musical introduction with systematic drumbeats and a dreaming guitar quality. Dreaming of what it is only leads to be “Our Endless War.” With the fitting militant beats of “Rise,” the listener is then catapulted into a downbeat of frustration and citizens uprising. While the lyric “Take back for justice for all” might be the impression the song presents lyrically, only “The Saw Is The Law” will tell for sure.

“Mono” and “Let Me Burn” relinquish even more angst against the grind against mankind. “Worship The Digital Age” strategically uses audio props; the introduction nearly disappears when the growling vocals and hammering downbeats come thrashing in.

Although there is no doubt that this album will pump up the angst, Our Endless War may not be a genre-pushing, limitless album. Whitechapel definitely stayed within their category. But damn, did they do a good job at it.