Depending on the metal band, a varying degree of melody can be detected -- all the way from gloriously tuneful to absolutely tuneless. As it turns out, the Chico, CA-based quintet (the first metal band to ever hail from that area?)
Armed for Apocalypse belongs to the latter category. But it's not a knock to the group, as their sound leans heavily on monstrously detuned guitar riffs and vocals that sounds like they're coming straight out of a torture chamber -- as evidenced throughout their debut offering, 2009's
Defeat. It's hard to discern if the group would fall more fittingly under the extreme metal or death metal umbrellas, but don't fret, admirers of both heavy duty styles will get their metallic quota satisfied, especially with such selections as "We Fell from the Bottom" and "The Demon Who Makes Trophies of Men." Don't say you haven't been warned -- these fierce gentlemen could take on Godzilla with their respective instruments.