Death Is My Only Friend is a diverse album, mixing metal, hardcore, rock and punk. It kicks off with “Opening Destruction,” an intense, guitar driven track with a heavy metal edge. Some songs, such as “The Last Song” are very melodic and mainstream. “Forever And A Day” is a piano based ballad with strings and emotional singing from Efrem Schulz. Many songs blend the two elements, combining catchy melodies and intensity.
“Welcome To The Party” is one of the more aggressive songs on the album with galloping thrash riffs, which ease into slower melodies before cranking up again. “Fear Of A Brown Planet” is more of a hardcore song, clocking in at under two minutes with gang vocals and a quick but effective guitar solo.
Schulz has a distinctive singing style. He uses a few different tones in his melodic vocals, some more effective than others. He also amps up the intensity and emotion with some yelling and screaming vocals. Death By Stereo’s sound has evolved over the years, and they’ve found a nice mix of styles with Death Is My Only Friend.
(released July 7, 2009 on Serjical Strike Records)
