Suffer, Survive

Album Review

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.]