It is becoming increasingly difficult to take a stance for the future of hard rock music when we’re given grumbly vocalist over grinding power chords and double kick drum over and over again. The screaming pounding mix is just really hard to say “No, wait! This is good” because it’s most generally followed up by “Where are you going?” and people not returning your texts.

So when I received Static Kill’s self titled album and hit play I immediately thought to myself No one will listen to me about this. The first thing we get is an in-your-face eardrum busting “Thorns.” This shredding opening track takes you zero to sixty in no time at all; complete with screaming, anger filled vocals and enough a snare educed ache that would make Lars Ulrich cringe. There is a fair share of melodic breakdown in the song, but not enough to prevent you from turning it down or worse, off.

Then there is the rest of the album. The inexplicable need to venture where they did on the first track is in no way an accurate reflection of the whole. From track two through seven you’re given enough to make you completely forget “Thorns.”

Static Kill is made up of lots of little pieces that reveal several things about the quartet from Naugatuck, CT. Songs like “Juliaset” and “Possession” venture into the realm of grind rock with pace breaking instrumental change ups. “Juliaset” has a bass drum explosion at the end that, as quick as it is, instantly has you hitting rewind to hear it again. The must hear song of the album, “Not Dead Yet,” is an instant addiction with it’s Deftone-esc dark melodies and a bass line that will nest in the deepest depths of your rock consciousness. These all allude to the talent behind Static Kill. There is more than a hard rock sensibility about these guys; they know how to put together a great song.  The attitude delivering chords by on guitar and bass only compliment the build up to the ground shaking drum.

Formed out of Michael Ostuni’s imaginings and foresight, this album is an impressive contribution to modern rock. Take it for the rock it is on the surface or take the time to experience the nuances, either way Static Kill is proof that hard rock can be taken seriously.