Of Mice & Men

Of Mice & Men's debut record masterfully conflates technical-metal prowess and relentless hardcore mood swings. On "Ydg" and "John Deux Trois", pinwheeling guitars slice like throwing stars (making the perfect chaotic foil for Austin Carlile's scaldingly unclean vocals), while the drums on "Westbound & Down" careen like dishes clattering off a shelf. Even tracks like “Those in Glass Houses” and “Farewell to Shady Glade”, which feature clear-headed, melodic singing from Carlile, stay unforgiving in their knife-twisting intensity.