Artist: Wrench In The Works
Album: Decrease/Increase
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Facedown

Hailing out of Hartford, Connecticut, Wrench In The Works flow in the vein of heavy metalcore but their progressive noise enables them to step outside the realms of the genres’ conservative formulas. They proclaim their divine faith to a blend of chaotic and fast discordance but are able to maintain restraints to withhold from sounding overbearing.  Their debut album on Facedown records, Lost Art Of Heaping Coal was commendable but their vision to excel beyond their skills was exceeded on their newest record, Decrease/Increase.

The opening track, “Vultures,” immediately sets the pace for the collection with impressively fast, manic drum work. The noteworthy frenzy of double bass work and blast beats function as the backbone for the intensity of the album. The onslaught of pummeling ferociousness takes an unconventional twist at the end of “A Desert Voice,” with a guest appearance by Levi The Poet speaking inspirational passages over melodic tones. Wrench In The Works are known for their sacred imagery and assertion of spiritual truth in their lyrics and this album is no exception. “Project AK-47,” purely spreads awareness of a ministry, of the same name, that saves child soldiers in Southeast Asia that have been deceitfully recruited to serve in the army. Furthermore, “Walk Amongst the Tombstones,” depicts the loss of close friend due to a heroin addiction while “Purge the Creep,” speaks about living to find truth and pushing forward through adversities. The heart-wrenching and deep lyrical base continues throughout the album and provides the listener with a hopeful message.

As the album develops, Wrench In The Works, showcase their refined sound and honed craft in songwriting and musicianship.  “A Desert Voice,” “Gethsemane,” and “Vows (I Must Decrease),” are the highlight tracks. While the drumming continues to be a sizable asset, the guitar work in “Gethsemane,” takes center stage. Technical and chaotic riffs succeed at providing textual depth. The album incorporates a number of guest vocals, including most prominently, Thom Green from Sleeping Giant and Donny Hardy from I Am Alpha and Omega. Each appearance compliment the burly lead vocals admirably. The two “Vows,” tracks provide a break to the otherwise barrage of intense fretwork, furious drumming and raw vocals. In the short minute run time “Vows (I Must Decrease),” opens with a soundscape of fleeting dissonance that gradually gets heavier with pounding drums. At the crescendo a repeated rally of, “I must decrease so that he may increase,” exemplifies their foundation and meaning behind the album.  “Vows (He Must Decrease),” takes the album to a close with an instrumental passage of varying moods that mirrors the first “Vows,” with ending chants.

Wrench In The Works have evidently polished their proficiency in songwriting, musicianship and overall persona. The primary downfall is the album begins almost as quickly as it ends because the eleven tracks doesn’t even hit a 30 minute run time. However within the short playtime there is a lot to take away from Decrease/Increase, whether lyrically or musically. From the gate this record is filled with jagged riffs, raspy vocals and stampeding percussion that doesn’t let up until the album concludes.

Score: 8.5/10
Review written by: Nerissa Judd

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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