Not Bad, Not Incredible

Pennsylvania metalcore band Texas in July has released Bloodwork, their first album with new singer J.T. Cavey and lead guitarist Cam Welsh, who just joined in 2014 after their predecessors Alex Good and Christian Royer officially announced their leave in February. Texas in July has definitely changed, in more than just their lineup, since their debut album, I Am, in 2009. Bloodwork is a good few leaps from some of the more hardcore-centric elements of their earlier work, and Cavey’s voice is noticeably lower. But all in all, this album is your standard metalcore fare, for whatever that’s worth.

If you’re looking for some truly ripping metalcore, without much variance in sound or anything particularly creative, just something heavy and loud, then Bloodwork should be right up your alley. Just because an album doesn’t provide anything new to the conversation doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not good and should be completely ignored. Tracks like “Inner Demons” stand as, in a sense, a masterclass in standard, blend-in metalcore, going hard with it’s bass and drums, with ripping, wailing guitars, and a beat that you have to mosh to. The stand out on the record is the instrumental track “Decamilli”, which highlights one of Texas in July’s better assets, their ability to write solid, groovy riffs- frankly, they should have made a record that sounded just like that, it would have been a lot more interesting.

Bloodwork isn’t bad. It isn’t incredible either, but it certainly isn’t a release worth entirely overlooking amidst a legendary year in metal. Texas in July was at their peak in their earlier days, when they played the style of metalcore that actually combined the best elements of metal and hardcore, but those who wanted to see them go in a more strictly screamo direction will be thoroughly pleased with this new offering. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this change in lineup has been a success, otherwise it might be best to listen to some of the other, more original and engaging, releases from this year.