Eighteen years and eight albums into their career, EVERY TIME I DIE still sound like hyperactive lunatics. Their latest effort "Low Teens" is another thirteen tracks of chaotic Metalcore that, despite being noticeably darker than previous releases, fully embraces the freewheeling, anarchic vibe that's been with them since day one. Long-time supporters will already be on board but if you've never encountered the Buffalo five-piece before, be sure to check this out as soon as possible; it's one of the most eclectically entertaining Metalcore albums of the year.

Not that you'd expect that if you were to sit down and read the lyrics to "Fear And Trembling." Inspired by his wife's life-threatening pregnancy complications, Keith Buckley's opening line "though it may haunt us and break our hearts, death cannot tear us apart" is one of the most personal lines he's ever written. And as the song shuffles into town on a ramshackle, garage-rock riff, it's hard to think of a better way they could have started the record. It quickly spirals into anarchy and is the first sign that these alcohol-chugging frat boys have more depth to them than the keg party may suggest.

This is emphasised further with the melancholic "Map Change," the closing song on the album. It's another energetic burst of cathartic energy at first, but again the first line - "am I the only one that saw the sun burn out" - speaks of the untold helplessness Buckley must have felt when wondering if he would lose his family. As it reaches the chorus, it becomes genuinely moving and the finale may be the most emotional piece of music they've ever given the world. Who'd have thought the same band that once couldn't handle being bitten by the party animal would one day create something this honest and raw? Sandwiched between these two open wounds are eleven high spirited and intense songs, all written in unconventionally madcap ways. "Glitches" for example is a headlong dive into carnage, mixing twitchy and paranoid Hardcore with a gritty Southern Metal tone. "I Didn't Want To Join Your Stupid Cult Anyway" meanwhile is destined to be live favourite and "Awful Lot" is just excellent, a full-pelt pit-anthem that injects a sizeable amount of fun into proceedings.

If you want a snapshot of what makes EVERY TIME I DIE such a formidable band though, "The Coin Has A Say" is the place to turn. This one sees the entire band hitting their peak, Buckley screaming over a backdrop of lightning guitar solos and percussion that could have been recorded during a prison riot. It's one of the strongest tracks they've ever written and it's followed by another barnstormer in "Religion Of Speed," which packs a chorus that is the closest they get to a mainstream concession. You could even dance to it if you were drunk and/or deranged enough. A potential contender for 'album of the year' then? Well, it's certainly up there but 2017 has seen an unusually high number of terrific records (presumably to make up for all the celebrity deaths) but even if they don't take home the Gold, EVERY TIME I DIE still have a good chance of making the top five. They're still the outrageous pit-igniters of yesteryear but their song writing has matured and Buckley especially gives the performance of his career.

So if this gushing praise hasn't quite got the point across, we'll boil it down to the "Too Long, Didn't Read" version: "Low Teens" is fucking bad ass. Buy it now, grab your flannel shirt, turn your cap backwards and start looking up the price of Warped Tour tickets. The tailgate parties alone will be insane.

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