Death By Stereo Title: Death Is My Only Friend Label: Serjical Strike Records Year: 2009 Rating: 3.5 / 5

Like a fully loaded revolver about to unload, Death By Stereo comes out of the flood gates with all guns blazing. This seminal punk rock band from Orange County has come a long way through ups and downs to deliver their finest work to date in Death Is My Only Friend. Death By Stereo has seen and destroyed thousands of stages across the country and overseas and their latest work is further proof of what Death By Stereo is all about. Authorative vocals, raging melodic guitars, shredding solos, fast-paced grooves, bass drops, and a punk rock D.I.Y. attitude that few rival, Death By Stereo is moving rapidly, forward to further succession. Recently signed to Serj Tankian’s Serjical Strike Records, Death By Stereo sounds like a new machine with a new agenda on their latest. From the opening riffage of “Opening Destruction,” until the last note of the record, you know that Death By Stereo means serious business. “I Sing For You” demonstrates the complete musicianship that this band is known for complete with gang vocals and Efrem Schulz’s awesome vocal dexterity. “The Last Song” delivers on all levels with the band’s performance taking center stage. “Wake The Dead” transgresses between melodic singing and furious guitar work that stamps that signature Death By Stereo sound. Power heavy “Who Should Die? You Should Die” boasts great melodic guitar riffs and great lyrics care of vocalist Efrem. Bringin’ the band’s aggressive nature to the forefront, Welcome To The Party,” has a huge bite which is rounded out by screams to make your grandma run for cover. Channeling thrash metal with an interesting message of unity, “For All My Friends (The Unity Song),” drops down the hammer and throws it down big time. I’ve been following this band for some years now, especially while they resided at Epitaph but this new record is something else. It seems that the band has a new found power and the song writing is much more fresh and tenacious. The record has that ‘Fuck You’ attitude that we all love and embrace, straight honest and genuine. Death By Stereo’s musical precision comes clean on this record and holds mucho substance. Not only is Death Is My Only Friend a spectacular record, it’s also a step up in musical quality for Death By Stereo. In parting words, you would be missing out if you didn’t pick this record up. It has all the bells and whistles, trust me.

By: Gian Erguiza