Inside Noise Week of 9/22
From the usual suspects to some semi-popular alternative, this week brought us some big releases to keep us talking!
Chaos Horrific by Cannibal Corpse
This week, we have yet another nauseating release from controversial death metal legends Cannibal Corpse. Chaos Horrific feels like a natural progression from 2021's Violence Unimagined, oscilating between displays of technical virtuosity and unrestrained brutality. The blood-drenched track "Summoned for Sacrifice" in particular showcases this approach, as complex riffs weave in and out of straightforward headbanging hooks. Whether you're here for captivating, intricate solos, or primal, gut-churning breakdowns, Chaos Horrific does it all. As always, Cannibal Corpse effortlessly maintains their measured balance of perfectionism and savagery. This album is pretty much exactly what I expected to hear, with a masterful execution showing that this band has their method down to a science. Chaos Horrific doesn't really break new ground, but any gorehound is sure to enjoy this record. 8/10. -Kalen
Scarlet by Doja Cat
On her new release Scarlet, Doja Cat addresses the drama, confronts the haters, and confronts pretty much everybody else too. This record features some of her most in-your-face songs to date, and we definitely see her true colors shine. This comes out through a grittier production style, her hardest bars yet, and, unfortunately, her insistence to continue defending her alleged-predator boyfriend. That being said, first half of this record is very strong, leaning into the high-intensity rage-rap trend without coming across as derivative. The latter half of the record explores more of Doja's signature pop-rap style, as well some RnB and neo-slow jam vibes that we haven't heard much of from her before. Those b-sides are still good, but I wish the pacing on this record was more consistent, as I found myself very impressed by the first few songs and increasingly less interested as the album mellowed out with every track. Scarlet is almost an hour long, and a few of the 17 tracks probably could have been cut for time and cohesion. I do think this record will grow on me with repeated listening, but for now, it's a 7/10. -Kalen
Wallsocket by Underscores
With the rage of a thousand suns and a sweet splash of humor, Wallsocket by Underscores rails against emotional abusers, the aging process, one-way communication, and above all else rich people who pretend to be poor. Both hyperpop and post-hardcore influences shape the Wallsocket experience, and suspended, noodly riffs feel just at home here as do fuzzy, bass-heavy dance breaks. Wallsocket illuminates the various unfulfilled avenues of Underscores' desire. For instance, her desire for financial security manifests in jealousy and crime, and her desire for companionship destabilizes her sense of self. Her end result seems worse off in every way, and the realization of her self-destruction fills her with the sort of anger that just keeps the whole cycle going anew. I feel like that I got out of this record what a lot of others got out of the new Olivia Rodrigo. 8/10. -Michael
