I dislike raking a band over the coals, but GUILT TRIP from Manchester, UK make it impossible for me to do otherwise. In light of that, their name is especially ironic. Because this is absolutely one of the most generic, non-creative and unoriginal records I have ever heard. Only the fact that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH exists keeps me from saying it is #1.
There isn’t a riff, solo, vocal line or any other aspects of the music on Armour Of Angels that hasn’t been done to death many, many times before. They call their music hardcore, but it’s only the most shopworn breakdowns, the most cliched lyrics of that genre that have made the cut here. GUILT TRIP’s music reeks more of bad ’90s nu-metal than the genuine hardcore of PRO-PAIN or CRO MAGS. It’s no accident they are on Roadrunner Records or that they name check LINKIN PARK in the press sheet. The vocals are 100% jump-da-fuck-up-ism of the highest level. This is like millions of Friday night Midwest bar metal bands, the stuff my own hometown is wallowing in.
It is competently, if anonymously, played and I have to say that the last run of songs after ‘Intermission’ are really furious and heavy. But it’s just so SO predictable I can’t stand it. So I will not slight GUILT TRIP any further. Avoid Armour Of Angels and don’t feel guilty about it.
Review By: Dr. Abner Mality
GUILT TRIP
Armour Of Angels
Roadrunner Records