The Chicago horror-punks' fifth release "Disguises" has divided critics since its release in the UK at the end of March. Slated by Rocksound but lauded by Kerrang, PIAR braces itself for the worst when loading the tracks onto its ipod and donning a black hoodie...Recorded in lead singer Wil Francis's "Sleepy Hollow" studio Disguises continues the raw and angry sound of 2009 album Knives. The band builds on this darker tone with a welcome reintroduction of catchy riffs - sadly lacking since their post-punk/new-wave homage Conviction.
Before punk fans are fully put off by this "metalcore" guitar work, the band make great use of Misfits style "woops!", "whoas!!!" and "aiaoghhgshsgs!!!" on several tracks, along with a liberal helping of standard, gang-vocals.
Lyrically some of the choruses are a little dumb and cliched, a niggling worry that the band has never fully ironed out, but Francis shows a clear knack for keeping things memorable and oddly poetic in the verses - "I watched as the black sky parted / Through fields of tar and thread" Hysteria is an obvious gunner for lead single with its stylised music video. Another warning goes out to Christian fans who may have the wind taken out of their sails once more as the blasphemy is back in full force.
As a final product the album is a well-rounded piece with great accompanying artwork depicting creepy kids and lots of sheep masks. The band certainly can't be accused of following the flock and even Victory Records haters should be pleasantly surprised by the bands gathering maturity in the wake of the bizarre emo period of the mid 00's. PIAR might go as far as saying that they carry the horror-punk genre's credibility and popularity almost entirely on their shoulders...
4 sheep masks out of 5 xx
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