Throne to the Wolves

From First to Last’s fourth studio album unleashes bona-fide catharsis served raw. Compared to their peers, FFTL have much more to scream about than unrequited love. The Los Angeles quartet has survived some brutal times and Throne to the Wolves reveals them finding their footing and then kicking out the windows. Frontman Matt Good rises to own his position with noticeable confidence and versatile vocal prowess. “Cashing Out” opens with venomous fervor as Good rails against the toxic personalities of an expired post-hardcore scene. “Elvis Said Ambition Is a Ream With a V8 Engine” boasts angular arrangements that flirt with proggy progression under rapid-fire rhythms and duel-to-the-death guitarmonies. “Going Lohan” juggles hyper metal guitar leads with incredibly complex drum patterns and Good’s railing on America’s obsession with celebrity. It should be noted that although Good steps up his duties as a powerful frontman, drummer Derek Bloom is FFTL’s MVP. Throughout the album he balances finesse and dexterity while hitting those drums like they owe him money.