Cursed — III: Architects Of Troubled Sleep

While their newest album title (and several song titles) may make Cursed appear to be the Canadian version of Coheed And Cambria, they've more in common with Norwegian black metal bands with unreadable graphic logos. Specifically, they're angry and noisy. They're loud as hell, presumably mad as hell, and they ain't gonna take it any more. It must have taken a remarkable amount of restraint to get any of this on record (particularly a speedy blast of fury like "Night Terrors"), since it's music tailor-made for being played live in dark, crowded rock clubs at midnight. "Antihero Resuscitator" adapts well to album, sounding like Alexisonfire if they were on one really bad batch of speed. It's hard to miss the tongue-in-cheek attitude of the sepulchral "Friends In The Music Business." ("Don't call me, I won't call you!") A long time in coming, III is a standout release in a time when Canada isn't exactly known for its hardcore scene.

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