Metal Underground.com

36 Crazyfists' debut release, "Bitterness the Star," is a great album, as from start to finish it is pure heaviness with vocalist Brock Lindow's unique vocal styling. Lindow's voice sets this group apart from other bands with a sound best described as a combination of heavy growls and twisted singing. When you hear his voice, you automatically know the song is a 36 Crazyfists song.

36 Crazyfists is more than just a unique voice with generic music though. The music style distinguishes itself in that they can seemingly break down a song at any time. While this may not be for everyone, they break down a song where, instead of a guitar solo, Brock comes in and sings/growls during the song while melody is played under his voice. Some songs can get repetitious at times, however, and might sound nu-metal as welle. 36 Crazyfists' music does consist of what seems to be a nu-metal formula of build up, then vocal break down, then a lead into the end of the song, often earning them a nu-metal moniker.

"Bitterness the Star" is a good album with some flaws, as noted above. However, even with the nu-metal build up and break down, it is sometimes not a bad thing. Just like some nu-metal, it can be tolerated, and this is definitely not your usual nu-metal. Despite the nu-metal buildup, 36 Crazyfists do have a metalcore influenced sound, in some regards similar to Killswitch Engage. It is likely no coincidence that they were both signed to Roadrunner around the same time.

Overall 36 Crazyfists's separate themselves in "Bitterness The Star" with their brand of hybrid nu-metal and metalcore and unique vocal combinations. If you want to hear something different, check out "Bitterness the Star."