Get ready to have your eardrums shattered and your soul stirred, because The Funeral Portrait just dropped their latest album, Welcome To Suffocate City, and it’s a goddamn masterpiece. This Atlanta-based quartet has been steadily climbing the hard rock ranks, and with this release, they’ve just planted their flag at the summit.
Welcome To Suffocate City isn’t just an album title; it’s a fucking mission statement. The Funeral Portrait has crafted a collection of tracks that grab you by the throat and don’t let go until the final note fades. It’s like they’ve distilled the essence of hard rock, injected it with a dose of modern angst, and set it on fire.
Guitarists Cody Weissinger & Caleb Freihaut are clearly possessed by the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Their riffs are meatier than a Texas barbecue and sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. Each track is a testament to their ability to craft guitar lines that are both technically impressive and catchy as hell. You’ll find yourself air-guitaring whether you want to or not.
Lee Jennings’ vocals are a force of nature. The man’s got pipes that could make a banshee jealous, ranging from soaring melodies to guttural screams that’ll rattle your bones. His lyrics paint vivid pictures of urban decay and personal struggle, giving voice to the frustrations of a generation.
Bassist Robert Weston and drummer Homer Umbanhower form a rhythm section tighter than your grandma’s tupperware. They lay down grooves so thick you could spread them on toast, providing the perfect foundation for the guitar pyrotechnics and vocal acrobatics.
While the entire album is a banger from start to finish, a few tracks stand out:
- “Suffocate City”: The title track is a relentless assault that sets the tone for the entire album. Featuring Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, this song is a gritty anthem that encapsulates the feeling of being trapped in a suffocating environment, both lyrically and musically.
- “Stay Weird”: This track is a celebration of individuality and the beauty of being different. With infectious hooks and a driving beat, it encourages listeners to embrace their quirks and stand out from the crowd.
- “Holy Water”: A haunting exploration of redemption and self-discovery, “Holy Water” showcases Jennings’ vocal range and emotional depth. The ethereal guitar work combined with powerful lyrics creates an atmosphere that is both introspective and anthemic.
The Funeral Portrait has delivered an album that’s not just a collection of songs, but a cohesive journey through the dark underbelly of the human experience. “Welcome To Suffocate City” is the kind of record that reminds you why you fell in love with hard rock in the first place.
So crank up the volume, clear some space for the inevitable mosh pit in your living room, and let The Funeral Portrait drag you kicking and screaming into their world. Trust me, you won’t want to leave.
