Keith, Jordan, Andy and Josh have gone and done it … they’ve re-lit the fuse! Moving on without drummer/founder Mike “Ratboy” Novak, the band has brought back the predatory nature displayed on their earlier releases. And let me just clear the air, I’m not knocking the last record, The Big Dirty, by any means, it was awesome. It just had a bit more of a “party” atmosphere, a feel good, southern-rock-influenced gem, definitely a breath of fresh air. On New Junk Aesthetic, however, ETID returns to the bludgeoning riffs displayed on Hot Damn! and Last Night In Town.

In the heavy chugging opener, “Roman Holiday,” and the more frenetic “The Marvelous Slut,” vocalist Keith Buckley seems to be bemoaning the fact that no one has patience in this world of instant access and gratification. “Why do I give myself away? / Why do I bleed so easily? / Why do I give myself away to the yawn,” and “If death’s coming it best come quick or I’m all yours.”

“Who Invited The Russian Solider?” is a throwback of sorts for ETID – it’s got that heaviness of Hot Damn’s “Floater” with an authoritative force, and if you read the lyrics, you find out Keith is talking about how people can worry about mindless shit, like status, fashion, etc., when there are soldiers fighting wars in other countries and dying for them. “Wait until they send your son home in a box / See if you’re dancing when water is everywhere / Anguish is endless but death is unambiguous.” It’s a wake-up call to all of us.

“Wanderlust” is the definite single to push this record – it’s got the bite that tells you it’s ETID, but it also has an easy style to it, the lyrics celebrating the life of the rock star bachelor gallivanting across the world, enjoying the spoils of it all. “Oh, lord knows I’m tired but I won’t rest my head until I’m home / And if my hands find themselves another body, well, you can’t blame them for trying to keep warm” and “Morals are simply a matter of time / And where you lay your head is a matter of pride.” The chugging guitars, especially in the last 45 seconds, fuckin’ rule!

I think the funniest thing about the album is when Keith borrows a line from the ‘80s hit, “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder – YouTube it kids! – in “The Sweet Life.” It took me a few listens to catch it, but I knew I’d heard the line somewhere before … classic!

The record still incorporates ETID’s affinity to give the fans something to shout back at them during their live shows, like in “Buffalo 666”: “We steal what we need and the rest we call love,” and “If you leave me, I’m coming with you. I promise you that.” The deluxe version closes with “Goddam Kids These Days,” in which Keith unloads on the younger bands coming into the scene, belting the lines, “You are not yet fit to speak on my behalf” and “Caught in the middle, I’m pinned between the egos and drones. / Skill has been called to arms.” The force behind his voice leaves no questions about his feelings, “if this is the state of my art, then I secede.” I agree with his stance. The new metalcore is becoming watered-down shit; it’s either an image someone is using to get fame/attention, or the band is a carbon copy of the latest radio-friendly, cookie-cutter band featured on Grey’s Anatomy. It’s time to get back to the essence – the music! Every Time I Die do that on New Junk Aesthetic, and do it with balls!!