Following up their freshman effort on Epitaph records, "Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has A Body Count," with an equally amazing album could have proven a difficult feat. However, From First To Last avoids the dreaded sophomore slump by cranking out heavy-hitting track after track on "Heroine," their best studio release to date.
With the March 21 release of "Heroine" from these still-teenage metal rockers, the band shows that they have the chops and innovation to keep writing great music that refuses to stray from an exploding metal market.
With a style akin to Bert McCracken of The Used, singer Sonny Moore provides plenty of captivating shrieks and wails that manage to hold their own with interesting melodic patterns.
Matt Good and Travis Richter play guitar in sync with the drummer Derek Bloom's percussion and provide some of the band's heaviest grooves ever. Bloom really offers some of his best drumming on this record, still showing listeners that he is just as quick with the double-bass blasts as he ever was.
These youngsters are a collection of very talented musicians, not only impressive but noteworthy as well.
Oddly enough, Wes Borland, former guitarist of the dreaded Limp Bizkit, offers his bass-playing skills for all the tracks on "Heroine."
The title track of the record, "Heroine," is placed at the end of the disc. Making the trip from the first track to the last is rather easy and goes by quick. The music has depth and demands the listener's attention.
From First To Last provides super-tight, super-heavy metal that is claiming a major part for the re-birth of modern metal music. With all the technical sections in this album, it should be interesting to witness live.
Opening for Fall Out Boy on their "Black Clouds and Underdogs" tour, eager concertgoers can catch From First To Last April 21 at HSBC Arena.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
