Dig It Up – Bad Water

If you’re looking for a blend of hardnosed rock and hardcore, then look no further than Montreal’s Dig it Up for a gratifying fix.  Belted lyrics and full bodied riffs make for an aggressive and unapologetic output.  The band’s latest full length, Bad Water, easily furthers the four-piece’s reputation with twelve new rapid fire tracks sure to push their audience to their feet with their fists raised to the sky.

 Bad Water rips open with a warrior’s battle cry fervently proclaiming that the only rule is that there are no rules.  The aptly titled “Anything Goes” validates the very human need to just unload the tension welling within after the suffocating grip of a tough week.  “I’m hanging from the ceiling, bouncing off the walls… I’ve lost control… I won’t apologize,” shouts the band in a throaty show of defiance.  The level of distain and disillusionment continues into “You’ll Get Cursed Out,” in which the band speaks out against the inaction of civil debate with an ill-informed populace (“No rationale, you’re mouth keeps running and nobody learns a thing”).  The discontent amps up further in “Tell A Hard Luck Story” as they outright reject the pleas of those in the throws of hardship due to their own poor decisions, wagging a disapproving finger in lines like “If you had made better decisions, you would be in a better position.”  Further, tracks like “Afraid” and “Danger” plummet into the dark void of fear, as Dig It Up explores how ominous truths can rock the very foundation of one’s existence.

 The sincerity of such fear and resistance bleeds through in the steadfast musical accompaniment. The tracks predominantly crawl at a forceful pace, forcing listeners against an inescapable wall of crunching guitar and thunderous bass in the same vein as Death by Stereo.  A southern disposition slips into the guitars for their big hard rock solos and various bridges.  For instance, a mid-song departure in “Keep Away” places the spotlight squarely on southern hard rock guitar with grand attitude and effect.  The mood seldom strays from this rock hard path, so those looking for hidden surprise would be better suited reevaluating their expectations and raising their stamina.

 Overall, Bad Water continues Dig It Up’s firm march forward as a forceful hard rock and hardcore act to be reckoned with. Bad Water doesn’t trigger any startling revelations, instead opting to further refine their take on the classic hardcore formula previously explored in Manners.  Catchy, aggressive, and unrelenting.