Better put in a mouthguard - WALLS OF JERICHO are back with a new record; fellas should also probably invest in a cup.

There are a lot of bands out there that like to advertise their "relentlessness" - as is evident by the abundance of thusly-named LPs. However, it takes more than intrepid nomenclature and ostentatious recalcitrance to earn such a coveted demeanour. The essence of it is not peacockery, but pure 'commitment'. And you can always tell when a given record is genuine in its resolve - it drips with spit, sweat, blood and echoes with exhausted gasps for air. It is simply relentless in getting its message across.  And "No One Can Save Me From Myself" is by all means one such record.

The words "get in the ring motherfucker" have never been more appropriate. There are no padded gloves here, no fix - just pure bare-knuckled assault. Despite their 'Metalcore' classification, WALLS OF JERICHO tend to stand out from the pack of their contemporaries due to the fact that their punches are simply heavier.

The band go straight for the "kisser" with "Illusion of Safety" and keep swinging on "Forever Militant" and "Fight the Good Fight", alternating between rib shattering breakdowns and up-tempo rounds with the bag. Yet they're not looking for a brawl; they're fighting back. The first part of the record feels as if the band are trying to fight their way out of a corner, before finally overpowering the opponent and crumpling all oppressing marrow to dust on the incendiary "Relentless".

They then march into the streets and yell out heavy Punk numbers in the likes of "Reign Supreme", "Anthem" and "Beyond All Praise", all of which truly manage to capture the essence of pure Hardcore like few acts in this genre now do.

The production is solid as a brick shit-house; the record sounds heavy and thoroughly brutal. The major bass presence in particular provides the album with extra ounces of weight. The only quip I have regarding the sound is with the smothering over-compression, which takes a lot of breath out of the songs.

This is obviously not the most melodic record - save for the fine song craftsmanship of the poignant "Cutbird" - but my main concern here lies with the excessive breakdowns. Granted they are a staple of the genre and add an undeniable kick to the songs, but their overbearing surplus often hints at an inability to find suitable resolutions to the songs; thus leading to "fills" of double-bass drums and slow chugs.

The highlight of the record is the rough gem of the band that is vocalist Candace Kucsulain. Her raw, savagely forthright, enraged performance solidifies her as the force of nature that she is.

Overall - this record is a fierce contender, a gladiator of virtue. Not without flaws but with plenty of heart "No One Can Save Me From Myself" shoves back the opposition and steps forward against all odds.
 <