Album Review: The Rivalry - 'No Face For The Mentor'

Don't you hate it when a band

releases one an amazing record and then two months later they pull the

plug!? Adelaide noise merchants The Rivalry have been going hard

at it for close to four years and shortly after delivering their masterpiece

the various members have decided to go their separate ways. 

Well, they say that it's better

to burn out than to fade away, and with “No Face For The Mentor”

this Adelaide 6 piece have well and truly ensured that they will be

remembered as one of our country's most innovative heavy bands.  

For those who are familiar with The Rivalry's debut EP (Misanthropy), the opening track “Skip

To The Clap” is a drastic change of pace for the band. But fear not,

because it's not long before the eerie intro noises make way for blasts

and frantic guitar work. What's instantly noticeable is that Steve's

vocals now have a more prominent place in the band's overall sound,

which is great if you're a fan of a skinny, angry white boy screaming

and spitting all over you. 

“Dead Dog” would come close

to being the band's heaviest track... until it drops down to a jazz

influenced drum and bass breakdown which somehow twists and turns it's

way through a series of tempo changes and then back to a blast driven

shred fest. It's hard to believe, but “As The Streets Fill With Blood...”

is a catchy track with a wailing lead guitar guiding the song through

its many stylistic changes. Not many bands are capable of mixing the

ominous sounds of a band like Neurosis with with an up tempo

beat, but TheRivalry have done just that! 

“War And Apathy” and “Shoes

Of A Landmine” are both great tracks but it was “You Are The Filth

Brigade” that really caught my attention. All 6 members are at their

absolute best  and it's songs like this which remind us just why The Rivalry are such an amazing band... and a sleazy southern riff

and solo never goes astray!

“No Face For The Mentor” is the Australian metal record of the year, simple as that. The Rivalry are looking at doing one last show in their hometown in March 2008, and I urge everyone to head over and farewell one of the country's most explosive bands. 

1. Skip To The Clap
2. Dead Dog
3. (A) As The Streets

   Fill With Blood (B) Only Time Will Help Us Drown

4. War And Apathy
5. Shoes Of A Landmine
6. You Are The Filth Brigade