Eat The Gun | Runner

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by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer

It’s always a bit disappointing when something that sounds great on paper doesn’t quite measure up in real life. With a history going back to 2002 that boasts high points such as a being selected as Metal Hammer’s “Demo of the Month,” an appearance on the Volkswagen Scirocco videogame soundtrack, and sharing the stage with such acts as Backyard Babies, HIM, and Duff McKagan’s Loaded, one would think that Eat the Gun must be a pretty damn spectacular band. Well, think again. Runner, the newest album from the German rockers, doesn’t exactly live up the hype surrounding them, but it does offer a few fun rock moments, even if most of them are rather forgettable.

Style-wise, Eat the Gun is essentially a modern-sounding rock band. Turn on the rock station in your area and pick a band that they regularly play. That’s pretty much what they sound like. They actually seem to have a significant Therapy? influence, whether intentional or not, but the members of Eat the Gun lack the charisma and anger that Andy Cairns brought to the scene. Instead, we’re left with another reasonably well-played, well-produced rock album that ultimately leaves no impression on the listener. It would seem the M.O. for the current rock scene is to play the least interesting, least original music possible, but with enough distortion to still call it “rock.” Eat the Gun exemplify this notion.

Another downfall for the band comes in the lyric department. Many of the lyrics are far too juvenile or obvious, and while a lot of slack can be given for the fact that they are not native English speakers, they still come off as fairly banal. It does appear the members are somewhat socially conscious, which is cool, but they need to find a more interesting way of delivering the message. Giving “sight to the blind” is a noble idea, but a lame song.

Basically, what we have here is another rock record by another rock band. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from recognizable amongst the throngs of similar-sounding bands on the scene. This is plain oatmeal at a time where, at the very least, we should be getting maple/brown sugar. It’ll get the job done, but it won’t be particularly enjoyable.

Genre: Rock

Band:
Hendrik Ücüncü (v,g)
Gereon Homann (d)
Phil Hüls (b)

Track Listing:
1. Runner
2. The Evil in You and Me
3. The Remedy
4. Not Dead Yet
5. Daredevil Supreme
6. Down In The Fire
7. Liberator
8. Give Sight to the Blind
9. I´m obsessed
10. My Retribution
11. Three Six Five

Label: Metalville Records

Website: www.eatthegun.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 4.9/10