ALBUM REVIEW: Unhealthy Mechanisms – Go Ahead And Die
It would take up most of this review detailing all the different bands that the Cavalera dynasty are in (or have been in) and the albums that they have made – such is the testament to their legacy in extreme music. The fact that the various members of the family are still making such great music in 2023 is definitely impressive and Unhealthy Mechanisms, the second album (and follow up to their 2021 self-titled debut) from GO AHEAD AND DIE certainly keeps up that trend and ensures that the Cavalera legacy is in safe hands.
GO AHEAD AND DIE feature father Max (who handles vocals/guitar) and his youngest son Igor Amadeus Cavalera (vocals/guitar/bass) alongside new drummer Johnny Valles (who ably replaces original drummer Zach Coleman who went back to his main band KHEMMIS) and it is safe to say that the band’s fury is still at the forefront of this album as much as it was in their first record.
From the off, GO AHEAD AND DIE unleash their ferocity in a no holds barred fashion and the album doesn’t let up until the last notes of the title track ring out. The Cavaleras and co. are in pursuit of non stop heaviness on Unhealthy Mechanisms and this is something that they not only achieve but excel in, as this is a band of musicians who are in total control of their destiny and know exactly what they are doing. They have the experience of course, but also the exuberance to match and that is a deadly combination in the hands of GO AHEAD AND DIE and their melding of brutal metal and hardcore provides a brilliant blend of aggression and power.
Standout tracks on Unhealthy Mechanisms like Split Scalp, Drug-O-Cop and M.D.A (Most Dangerous Animal) personify in full the heaviness that GO AHEAD AND DIE do so well and even when they experiment with melody as they do on Chasm, there is still a heavy charm coasting through its veins.
Both Cavalera senior and junior are on top form on the record with Igor Amadeus really coming into his own as he trades formidable roars with his father, and the two complement each other perfectly. Bands like MOTÖRHEAD, VENOM and DISCHARGE are appropriate reference points for the music of GO AHEAD AND DIE and the three-piece definitely have that same rawness about them as those iconic bands have. Even though this album has the same raw nature of their debut, Unhealthy Mechanisms definitely marks a step up in terms of how the songs are delivered as there is undoubtedly an assured energy that completes the raw elements very well.
Unhealthy Mechanisms is the sound of GO AHEAD AND DIE building on their debut album confidently and forging ahead with their ferocious brand of hardcore-indebted metal and, as they put the world to rights, it sounds like they are having one hell of a time doing so.
Rating: 8/10
Unhealthy Mechanisms is set for release on October 20th via Nuclear Blast Records.
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