Saturday Song To Headbang To

"Possession" by Whitechapel


Whitechapel is the epitome of deathcore. Good deathcore, to be more specific. All the genre hallmarks are there: the bouncy rhythm section, the low tuned guitars, the vocalist that sounds like he's trying to eat the microphone, the token violent, misanthropic lyrics. You know, kiddie stuff.  And while the band plays to the strengths of its genre (and occasionally its weaknesses), there are a few things that set it apart from its peers. 

First of all, Whitechapel has three guitarists. Now, this may seem superfluous and unnecessary, but it adds to the dynamics in the band's songs. Obviously, three guitarists can give you a brutal wall of sound, but it also frees up one guitarist to play something completely different while the other two follow whatever the bassist and drummer are doing. Whitechapel incorporates this well, and it helps facilitate the creepy, dark vibe that seems to snake through their songs.

Whitechapel also has an awesome concept behind its name. For those of you not familiar with nineteenth century English history, Whitechapel is the name of the London district where the infamous Jack the Ripper murders took place. The band embraced the theme wholeheartedly; their first record, The Somatic Defilement, is a first-person account of the murders. In a related note, the lyrics are undoubtedly the most disturbing, violent, and misogynistic things I have ever read. 

Just read the lyrics to "Vicer Exciser." I dare you.

Finally, the one thing that decisively sets Whitechapel apart from its peers is Phil Bozeman. The man is a beast on the microphone, and his variety is unparalleled. He can do the high-pitched black metal screams, the throaty roars, the low register guttural growls (he does this one better than anyone in metal), and a unique style that I like to call "death rapping." I'm still amazed that all of those sounds come out of such a tiny little dude (I've met him before; he's like 5'8", 5'9", max). He's also the man responsible for the band's name and its lyrics.  He pretty much delivers the vocal equivalent of a punch to the face.

"Possession" is the first Whitechapel song I ever heard, and it is still my favorite. The song starts out with a monstrous riff that you can't help but headbang to (Try it. Come on, you'll like it). The highlight of the song is the bridge about two minutes in. "Possession" has breakdowns aplenty, eerie guitar interludes, and Phil delivering  sweet nothings as only he can. The song is taken from their second (and best) record, This Is Exile. Enjoy.

Want to guess what the album is about?

Music Video:

Lyrics

Eyes are glaring red with a conscious set to kill
Nostrils flared and the eyebrows parallel
Thriving on the chaos and the suffering I have caused on you all
A dispute of man and diabolical beasts
How could one cipher such a malevolent being
I am certain of humanity's demise
Man will inspire the words of a new era of corruption
Now that I can control the orifice of mankind
I gladly inform, you're all in a world of shit
Coprophagia would be the only solution
Open your fucking mouth and ingest what you are
Silent you will remain while I invoke my presence on your world
Urges I must satisfy again and again
Inside a shell festering is the mind of a bastard child
Cover the earth with the blood of this lamb
We are the disease that spreads amongst this filthy race
Collect the dust of the ones who have fallen to the lies
It is your last resort to a wretched memory
Take this life for granted and hold it tight
For we have you all under control because
We are the disease
Man will inspire the words of a new era of corruption
God damn you all