Album Reviews

Paranoid Delusions / Paranoid Illusions
Pulling Teeth – Paranoid Delusions / Paranoid Illusions
8.0
 on
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 00:00
submitted by
Thomas

Pulling Teeth might have been known as a hardcore beast that held its own between Integrity and Slayer, “Paranoid Delusions / Paranoid Illusions” sees this Maryland outfit taking a slightly different route. Everything you liked about these guys is still intact but their new album is anything but just another hardcore album.

The juxtaposition in the artwork is as good an indication of what’s to come as anything else. The contrast between good and bad or pretty and ugly, is present in the music as well where one minute they sound all sludgy and the next you hear birds chirping away. Even in the dirty part there are distinctions as Pulling Teeth likes to both thrash around like a caged maniac in some parts whereas in other parts they sound like a nastier version of Black Sabbath. Sometimes – like in “Ritual” – they switch things up in the same song. It’s all pretty depressing stuff yet still manages to sound pissed off as fuck.

This release might confuse some but I’m loving every second of it. There just aren’t enough seconds with just five songs on here but for me, that’s the only downside of “Paranoid Delusions / Paranoid Illusions”. One of the most impressive hardcore releases of 2009 so far!

Tom Dumarey
Tom Dumarey

Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.