Johnny Booth – “Firsthand Accounts”
“Firsthand Accounts” – Johnny Booth (2019)
Independent release
Rating: Yes
Recorded: 2018
Studio: Westfall Studios, NY
FFO: Every Time I Die, Stick To Your Guns, Periphery, The Dillinger Escape Plan, August Burns Red, Norma Jean, and Stray From The Path
Two-steppers and metal playlisters rejoice, this one’s for you. Johnny Booth is your new (or old) favorite band.
For nearly 10 years Johnny Booth’s unique, skull-crushing brand of heavy metal has been somewhat of a local legend on Long Island. When the stage is graced by Booth, show-goers can expect big guitars, groovy bass lines, fast-paced drums, and an impassioned performance from dread-headed front-man, Andrew Herman. On their sophomore album the 5-piece is back and has managed to once again bottle this energy and serve it to the world on a bloody
“Firsthand Accounts” comes to us 5 years past the band’s last release. The delay was partially due to the changes of lineups, societal pulls, and lifestyles that come with time. Those life changes reflect heavily in the themes of this record.
Nowadays, it’s hard to believe “Firsthand Accounts” came to us a year ago after waiting so long for this offering. The band is larger in presence than ever and growing. FA is proceeded by the “Bronze EP” (2014) and came to us 7 years post their full-length debut, “Connections” (2012). Both of those past releases are remembered for being as melodic as they are aggressive. These traits caused them to resonate through the gap in releases.
The band’s ability to trade between two-step friendly breakdowns and soaring melodic breaks has always made for great listening (and a welcomed auditory thrill ride) yet this record manages to play that duality off with even more pinpoint precision.
Despite talk of melody and diversity, this album still ultimately leans on the heavy side in all that it does. As a result there’s never a point on the record where I felt bored listening. The content here relies on the band’s ability to play better than the next guys and those 5 years between records only allowed the outfit to further master their songwriting ability, clearly calling upon the powers of new drummer Scott Owens to enhance their formula.
During the opening minutes of this release there’s no hesitation getting down to business and showcasing both sides of Booth. Rebuttal is an intro track with a balled fist and a lot to say. The cut time intro slams the listener right where the band wants you: front and center for the 40 minutes of heavy metal chaos it front guards. Booth was even so kind as to back this opening up with the melodic-grooves in “Feast Is Over”, the drum-heavy anxiety fest of “Thief”, and breakout single “Asymmetrical”, actively setting the tone for the other 8 tracks.
It’s impossible to discuss this record a year after it’s release without stating that the singles, (Fever Dream ft. Moon Tooth’s Nick Lee, Bury The Rose, and the aforementioned Thief and Asymmetrical) are as stand out on this release as they are in the pack of recent releases from the larger metal community. Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal shared the love for this band by airing their tracks consistently in 2019. There wasn’t a day I tuned into the station where Asymmetrical wasn’t given it’s due diligence. Hearing those songs consistently bookended by the likes of Knocked Loose, Nails, Upon A Burning Body, Whitechapel, and Gojira added an ounce of legitimacy to their legacy.
I’ll even go as far as saying that whatever those bands can do, Johnny Booth provides evidence on “Firsthand Accounts” that they can do it faster, stronger, smarter, and (for lack of another word) BETTER.
Take a listen. You won’t be sorry.
“Firsthand Accounts” by Johnny Booth can be streamed wherever you stream your music. These guys are everywhere.