Craw

Debut releases that grab your attention from the opening seconds are far and few between. From the moment the laser hits the needle, the eponymous debut from this Cleveland ensemble dunks your head into a bucket of ice-cold water and refuses to let you up for air. Intense, well-constructed rhythms mesh with haunting lyrics sung by a man whose voice box sounds like it will rip apart from his body at any moment. Comparisons to Dazzling Killmen and Don Caballero are inevitable, as both groups were also trailblazing during the time of this release. But what separates Craw from the rest of the pack lies in the level of intelligence put forth in every single second, giving you more than your money's worth. In an idealized world, Craw would be larger than any metal group you can spout off. But the mere fact that they refuse to cater to the common-denominator metalhead should tell you something right there. This album is truly something special and frighteningly good, if you can find it.