Toronto hardcore outfit Cancer Bats has released its 4th LP Dead Set On Living. The band has always had energetic and dirty sound, and it still stands out; however, this time the tracks have a more distinct personality, something they’ve struggled with in the past. They sound more mature in their arrangements and the vocals are sharper this time around. It’s like daggers going straight into your ear canal, but in a good way.

With all these improvements that make the songs seem fuller, some of the lyrical inconsistencies do stand out. While sometimes they are effective at capturing the sloppy, grungy atmosphere their music does so well, it occasionally feels like they are trying too hard. What they lack in lyrical consistency they make up for sheer blood-pumping energy.

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