The Killing Tree "The Romance of Helen Trent"

Sweet grinding garbage disposal, the guitar tone! The Killing Tree's 2002 debut, and only full-length, is notable for being one of the crunchiest, most satisfying, and overlooked albums this millennium. The album cover's color scheme is as accurate a reflection of the music contained within as the cover of Modern Life is War's exceptional Witness. Lucky ears but unlucky necks, The Romance of Helen Trent, too, imparts nothing but headbanging bliss, veering betwixt simmering tension and full-bore war.

Known to many (of the few who actually recognize The Killing Tree) as the "other band" of Rise Against's gravelly-voiced melodic-hardcore heartthrob, Tim McIlrath, The Killing Tree should be known as his "better band" instead -- Rise Against's extra-guttural hardcore enemy. The barrage of screams, yells, and breakdowns imbue The Killing Tree with a ferocity and anger uneclipsed, while pinpoint guitar-slaying and pummeling percussion elevate The Killing Tree to, as Phil Anselmo might as well be screaming about this album, "A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!".

The Romance of Helen Trent isn't an overlooked gem, but a block of cement. (A rare nimble, tempo-shifting block of cement, that is). It's backalley punk rock. Bloody knuckles wrapped in chain links. Flailing fists clenching rolls of quarters. It's the album sending you scrambling toward the local independent record store.

For a sore neck and a smile, listen here (to the most Rise Against sounding song on the album): The Killing Tree - Them's Fightin' Words

Buy it now from One Day Savior. Thank me later.