Holy Armour From The Jaws Of God - US Press

October File - Holy Armour from the Jaws of God Candlelight Records - by Matthew Hoffman - Staff Writer

Comments: 35% punk, 25% hardcore, 10% pop rock, and 30% conventional metal is the approximate recipe for the potion that is October File. Those percentages probably do not appeal to too many metal fans, but the CD works for one reason. These four nasty bastards bring it one way, 100% fucking real.

Hailing from the shores of England, October Files brand of music is intense and well played with a very solid flow. It is spirited throughout the effort and is unlike anything you have ever heard. Songs about chicks, fun in the sun and parties are not covered here. What you do hear is religion, climate change and war dealt with in an honest and intelligent way. The overall tone of the album is “anger” towards all these challenging topics.

The “fun” (ha ha) starts out with the opener “A Munitions Crusade” which is a great song and has several compelling parts. It starts with musically the bass guitar of Steve Beatty behind the chorus of “Are you ready, ready to fight” as well as the battle hymn drumming from John Watt are really inspiring. The lyrics include “Flick a switch to drop the H bomb” delivered so well it actually makes you imagine that horrific occurrence. This song actually deals with the munitions that actually are provided to use for the killing, brilliant.

Second cut is “Magnificent Circus” and has more really well played drums and bass. This cool song concerns changing long standing opinions.

Climate issues are dealt with on “High Octane Climate Changer” hits about as hard as an Exodus cut. “Lets take a drive to the coast…breathe in that shitty air” is about as straightforward a lyric as possible. The music is killer too as they slow it down drastically and then ass rape the listener once again before the song hits its bombastic climax. They also end it with a man’s eerie laughing (in the face of the horror).

The next song “Another Day” hits hard right out the shoot with shotgun riffs and powerful drumming. The theme is the fact that if we keep on like this there will no longer be another day.

The band comments (on their Web site) on the video for “Hallowed be Thy Army” the album's next track (which was banned for its offensive and nasty images.) “It might have offended some Muslims too - well, it was meant to. Try and stop blowing people up you assholes! Your god doesn’t like you for it, he doesn’t exist … More on this later …” Think you ever heard a more up front and honest band, well think again. These boys make Lemmy Kilmister, and Dave Mustaine seem politically correct.

A cool melody ride filled with war-like bass notes starts “Friendly Fire.” The lyrics “the tight rope on which you walk, the egg shells…” deals with the monotony and drudgery of everyday life. Going into an office every day hating the person you have become.

The rest of the CD deals with rich vs. poor, religious extremists killing in the name of their particular God, and depression.

These guys are no fucking joke, and have really mastered the art of songwriting really well, delivering a combination of styles with meaningful lyrics and awesome musicianship.

The only criticism is the lack of lead guitar pieces by the bands axe monster Matt Lerwill. Matt, with all the energy and anger a few more well placed solos would have been outstanding.

Ladies and germs this is a killer record, one of the best of the year and deserves to be purchased by every single one of you. It is available at www.plastichead.com

Band Members
Ben Hollyer- Vocals
Matt Lerwill- Guitar
Steve Beatty- Bass
John Watt- Drums

Track listing:
1. A Munitions Crusade
2. In My Magnificent Circus
3. High Octane Climate Changer
4. Another Day
5. Hallowed Be Thy Army
6. Friendly Fire
7. Blood And Sweat
8. A Sun That Never Sets
9. Religion?
10. So Poor

HRH rating: 8.2/10