I Set My Friends On Fire – You Can’t Spell Slaughter Without Laughter

Most American post-hardcore bands typically consist of the same factors: incoherent brutal screaming and double pedals, all of which contribute to the making of the two-step and hardcore dance. However, I Set My Friends On Fire should in no way be undermined or even compared to other post-hardcore bands you’ve seen and heard before. In the band’s latest CD, "You Can’t Spell Slaughter Without Laughter", out on Epitaph Records, a combination of screamo/experimental/hardcore takes a spin as it clashes with upbeat melodies that derive from synthesizers. The CD is a mix of different genres that all maintain the gruesome qualities of melodic metalcore. Oh, and did I mention there’s only 2 guys in the band?

Matt Mihana is the vocalist for the band, and Nabil Moo takes care of the instruments and programming. Upon listening to the album, you would NOT expect to learn that two guys are responsible for the music. In fact, the musical stylings are so perfectly in place and intermingled, that it comes as a surprise that the music is not exactly "traditionally" provided. That’s a quality that makes "You Can’t Spell Slaughter Without Laughter" original, the fact that a barrier is broken in the production of the album. Sure, one-man bands exist and have played with musical programming, but this band seems to know what they are doing, and they provide it skillfully and with no apologies.

Among the album are a few songs which stand out, and one that surely sounds familiar. The band covers Soulja Boy’s "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)", a hit you have no doubt heard play 5 times within the hour, every hour, for several months on mainstream radio stations. The song is quite comical to listen to, seeing as how the hip-hop hit is transformed into a screamo type of style. Nevertheless, it’s a song that augments the personality of the album.

I Set My Friends On Fire, while underestimated at first, only proves misconceptions wrong. While not a traditional band, everyone can always appreciate rule breaking, especially when it sounds this good. "You Can’t Spell Slaughter Without Laughter" is an album worthy of recognition, and if you can’t believe it, give it a try firsthand, it won’t disappoint you.

Band’s website:  www.isetmyfriendsonfire.com

Band’s myspace:  www.myspace.com/isetmyfriendsonfire

Epitaph’s website:  www.epitaph.com

 

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel Online Magazine