Fans of
No Warning's output for Boston indie Bridge Nine will note the amplified melodic sense on
Suffer, Survive, the Toronto band's debut for
Linkin Park's Machine Shop imprint.
No Warning hasn't lost its hunger for muscular, aggression-filled hardcore in the New York City tradition -- "Dirtier Than the Next" and "Modern Eyes" unwind over vicious double-time drums and the twin, anvil-heavy guitars of Jordan Posner and Matt Delong. But "Back to Life," "No Don't Think So," and "Bad Timing" try on
Sum-41's more accessible interpretation of hardcore's base elements, and the layering of Ben Cook's vocals throughout
Suffer is a technique that, though completely effective, is noticeably different from the loud 'n' fast aesthetic of
No Warning's previous output. (
Sum-41 producer Greig Nori also handled the boards for
Suffer.) The directional shift might alienate portions of the band's standing audience. They might hear too much of a melodic edge in something like "S304." But those naysayers will miss out on an EP that teems with both power and dynamic energy. In other words,
Suffer, Survive is the sound of an already great band improving immensely. [The recording included two bonus tracks, as well as enhanced video material.] ~ Johnny Loftus