Formed in L.A. in late 2009, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.) is a post-hardcore rock super-group lead by ex-Chiodos frontman Craig Owens. After his well publicised 2008 overdose and departure from Chiodos in September 2009, fans were desperate to hear something new from the vocalist. Via Twitter, Owens announced the official formation of new band D.R.U.G.S. Approximately a year after forming, D.R.U.G.S. have released their bitter, anger-driven self-titled debut.
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| Frontman: Craig Owens |
The aggressive first track, which was released as single in November 2010, ‘If You Think This Song Is About You It Probably Is’, propels the band comfortably into the heavy-handed alternative scene with a thumping drum solo commencing it, along with breathy vocals courtesy of Craig Owens. The lyrics immediately provide the listener with a perfect taster of what is to come from the rest of the album, ‘Today was the day you tried to shut me down.’; anger-fuelled, intense sounds flavoured with softer elements such as dance-inspired mixing. By utilising a start-stop format and various tempos for this song, D.R.U.G.S illustrate their song writing skill. This, along with Owens’ powerful, soaring vocals and the versatile abilities of the rest of the band layered together convey the venue-filling potential this band have.
Something rare about D.R.U.G.S. is their capability to be a post-hardcore group using scream vocals that are actually audible to listeners, something shared with the likes of A Day To Remember and The Blackout. Owens’ distinctive voice drives the band, with his flawless quick changes from melodic moments to burly scream sections and back again. Although it is only their debut, this album could easily be mistaken for a second or third album, reflecting the experience of the band’s members. Second track, ‘The Only Thing You Talk About’ is more a scene-associated song, obviously reaching out to younger listeners as it commences with soft gang vocals, ‘We all know, we all know, that you’re the only thing you talk about.’ Lyrics such as this aim to attract the younger ground, such as fans of You Me At Six, All Time Low, and others from the Pop Punk Scene. This track contains thrashing guitaring and a catchy pop-inspired chorus, a hardcore breakdown before the final chorus, followed by Owens bellowing, ‘I knew as soon as I’d left that you’d go and fuck someone else, you whore.’
Third track ‘Graveyard Dancing’ begins with mild melodic beats that lull the listener into a false sense of security. But by twelve seconds in, the thumping drumming and boisterous sound return, employing the timeless component of light and shade within a track. Having said that, the lighter aspects come across as sarcastic when juxtaposed with the theme of the album, ‘You’re not as pretty as you maybe think that you are.’ The mature backbone of this album sets D.R.U.G.S. apart from other similar bands, as well as the unusually heartless and hate- fuelled lyrics, ‘Why is it I love you so much and all you do is hate, hate, hate...’. It is clear that the band took time to evolve their sound in order to produce this ambitious debut offering.
Released on 6th December 2010, second single and fourth album track ‘Mr Owl Ate My Metal Worm’ not only has a pop punk inspired title, but from its inception, retains D.R.U.G.S.’s energy entwined with emo elements, ‘I’d like to keep cutting...but I can’t stand to watch myself bleed...’. Placed against forceful backing vocals this track rewrites the emo rule book, making the band groundbreaking and well established in their debut. ‘Sex Life’ premiered in January 2011 and it complements previous tracks with its tricking the listener about the strength of the song, which foregrounds the fact that it is possible to compose an ‘I-hate-everything-and-everyone’ compilation and be talented musicians.
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| Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.) |
Stunning in its apparent simplicity, ‘Laminated E.T. Animal’ begins with the subtle strumming of an acoustic guitar, alluding a Parkway Drive type breakdown and negative emotion filled remainder including epic group vocals. Seventh track ‘Stop Reading, Start Doing Push Ups’ fires up with a Green Day/Rise Against moral-yelling introduction before sweeping in Craig Owens’ perfectly gritty tone. It is clear that the band spent time developing their sound as every note and occasional sound effect combines seamlessly with the vocals. ‘I’m The Rehab, You’re The Drugs’ is punchy without endorsing pop elements. It derives from a sense of self-pity minus any whining.
‘I’m Here To Take To The Sky’ incorporates a slight sense of optimism, ‘If the sky is the limit, then I’ll build a bridge up to it!’, so much so that it could be mistaken for an All Time Low track. However, the album was crying out for some hope by track nine. ‘The Hangman’ returns to the heavier form which appears to be D.R.U.G.S’s most comfortable sound, ‘Sometimes hate can be so beautiful...oh please, oh please, just let me bleed...’ . Final track ‘My Swagger Has A First Name’ closes the album with guest vocals from Underminded’s Nick Martin and high creative energy and drumming just begging to be heard in a sweaty, sold-out venue. Bonus tracks ‘A Little Kiss And Tell’, ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘The Holly Situation’ unfortunately come across as very generic compared to the remainder of the album.
Music is undoubtebly Owens’ emotional outlet, proving there’s nothing like honest and personal lyrics, ‘I’m so used to being a coward!’, together with great music. Infectious and fiery, D.R.U.G.S. have managed to generate a fresh and almost exclusive sound and establish themselves as flexible, resourceful and great musicianship overall. But, this offering is pleading for a chilled acoustic track to throw some variety in with the other solid tracks.
4/5
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| D.R.U.G.S.' Debut Album Cover |
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