Weekly iTunes "Single of the Week" Review

Welcome, readers! It's time for the iTunes Single of the Week Review.

This week's "Single of the Week:" Black Heart Queen by Gallows.

[iTunes writers' words follow . . .]

Brace yourself for the uncompromising English metal / punk of Gallows. "Black Heart Queen" is fueled by a contagious, spitting anger and playing with a fury that recalls classic early '80s hardcore mixed with the melodic heaviness of newer acts like Funeral for a Friend and Bullet for My Valentine. Not for the meek.

My review:

I'm fortunate to live in the Boston area (for many reasons), and thereby am lucky to have radio access to WAAF's Mike Hsu, recognized nationally as one of the most knowledgeable DJs when it comes to heavy metal. I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but only because there's far too few diamonds and way too much rough. When it's good, it's great. When it's bad, it sucks.

Despite what the iTunes writers claim, Gallows is not punk. No no no. The Ramones are punk. Gallows is heavy metal. And furthermore, they are far more reminiscent of Scissorfight than Funeral for a Friend. The comparison, frankly, is downright laughable. It's like saying Godsmack sounds like 311. To illustrate the point, listen to Black Heart Queen and then listen to Scissorfight's "Victory over Horseshit." They sound very similar, no?

Hard core, head-slamming chords by guitarists Laurent Barnard and Steph Carterand backed by a kick-ass drummer Lee Barratt make "Black Heart Queen" a definite keeper.

*** 1/2

iTunes Library Result:
KEPT
... and I want to hear more ...