New World Heat sees Fox Lake evolving their sound more towards nu-metal territory; really channeling the influences of Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit and Knocked Loose to name a few. Thematically the album ranges between calling out societal hypocrisy, taking shots at genre purists and even some hints at Magic: The Gathering for the hardcore gamers out there.
Kicking off the record we have For the Love of the Game featuring Mugshots own Ringo Waterman, which gets the listener started in classic nu-metal fashion, with a nasty bass line from Zach Swafford underneath some DJ scratches to get the vibe set. It’s when vocalist Nathan Johnson hits us with the “buckle up, put your money where your mouth is” when the chaos kicks in. Later, Brandon Kemp hits us with some panic chords before setting up Waterman to take the lead with his low and ferocious vocals.
Later in the track list we have an explosive hardcore track Go 4 the Throat; a two-minute blast to the eardrums where the band doesn’t demand your attention; they take it. Lyrically, on the surface it may seem like just an all confident “fuck you” tune but for the nerds out there; this is one of the hints at Magic: The Gathering in the track list.
At the midway point we have hip-hop infused h a l f t i m e, I specifically wanted to mention this tune; albeit being a one minute interlude but it’s an interlude done right. It perfectly matches the rest of the vibe of the record, while providing the listener with a bit of a breather before the demolition in the latter half. It isn’t half baked either with its early 90’s hip-hop aesthetic and lo-fi flavour, you can feel the genuine love for this sound in the tune.
In the final moments of the record, we have Gut Check featuring Gary Cherny from Eyes of Salt. This one has some of the catchiest guitar work on the record in my opinion; structurally it’s extremely effective as the reoccurring riffage almost acts as a ‘hook’ for the song. Every breakdown through the track the riff has a slight variation, keeping it fresh but repetitive enough where it gets infused in your head.
The group have created a record that oozes with confidence, urgency and ferociousness. Pairing with DJ MRD and Mugshot’s Connor Haines for production duties leaves us with a record that not only feels unmistakenly authentic to Fox Lake but also feels like a love letter to the influences that make them. If you haven’t had a chance to dive into this band yet, you’re missing out on something truly special.
10/10
New World Heat is available everywhere now via MNRK Heavy.
