### Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals: Walk through exits only

#### 06/09/13 || Cobal

I won’t waste my time introducing the figure Anselmo is. Instead, I’ll tell you this: I was a bit skeptical about this project after the disappointment latest Down’s was. Fortunately for us all, “Walk through Exits only” are probably the most metal metal album of the year so far.

Now, if you’re looking for some Pant era copycat, you may forget about it and spare yourself the let-down. There’s indeed some evidence of what they call now groove metal, but surprisingly enough, Anselmo and company managed to imprint their first full-length work with a more chaotic sound and a special kind of rawness and technicality. The opener “Music media is my whore” is a good example of this: taking a circus-like rhythm PHA&tI create a pretty heavy and disturbing atmosphere. Unlike the mythic band from Texas, these guys reach death metal intensity at moments and the sensation of broken tempos is definitely a pro. Cast a glance on “Usurper’s Bastard Rant” for the proof.

Even though it takes a bit to get used to the loudness and noisiness, I’d say songwriting is one of the aces here. Although short, I think “Bedridden” is great work of consistency, and the complex structure and composition of “Irrelevant Walls and Computer Screens” is remarkable. However, writing songs well didn’t do anything against the crushing riffs or blast beats, and certainly didn’t prevent Mr Anselmo from screaming furiously all over the record. Perhaps that’s the one thing I didn’t fancy as much.

It would be a nightmare for me to try to criticize him in terms of credibility, but if you ask me, so much screaming got to be a bit tiring. While all the instruments show some moments of real skill, vocals are all about punch. The funny thing is I do remember good ol’Phil could sing once. Perhaps not taking care of his throat carried some consequences after all. Me, I’m thankful for the moments he just shut the fuck up and let me listed to the music for a change. Still, his work is appropriate for the most part. This is supposed to be annoying after all, uh?

As I said before, I’d go as far as saying this is the most metal release of the year so far. That doesn’t necessarily means it’s my favorite, though. The reason? Well, it’s got all the checkmarks, you now: it’s bad-ass, groovy, inspiring, and silly and there’s definitely moments of huge musicianship. And still, newbies will say it’s just noise. Just the way we like it. There’s no waste in it if you’re all about the American approach to heavy music. Cheers.

- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Housecore Records
- Website: Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Facebook
- Band
- Phil Anselmo: vocals
- Marzi Montazeri: guitars
- Bennett Bartley: bass
- Jose Manuel Gonzales: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Music Media Is My Whore
- 02. Battalion of Zero
- 03. Betrayed
- 04. Usurper Bastard’s Rant
- 05. Walk Through Exits Only
- 06. Bedroom Destroyer
- 07. Bedridden
- 08. Irrelevant Walls and Computer Screens