Review: Xombie “Might As Well”

This is NYC based metalpunkrap hybrid Xombie.

The band specializes in jamming a few distinct musical styles together in an almost combative fashion, the end result being an aggressive amalgam of jack-hammering guitar riffs dueling with juiced-up hyper speed rap flows.

Xombie formed in 2010 and has racked up three EP releases featuring a musical gang comprised of Atom Crews (lead vocals), Roy Galvan (lead guitar), Robert Fishkin (lead guitar), “Cadillac” Mike Martabano (bass), and Eric Castillo (drums).

A new album called “Super Cell” is slated to drop on June 2nd, 2017.

The release will feature seven tracks of manic guitar shredding, lyrical spitting rap running at punk speeds, and pounding drums that push the whole thing right off a cliff of metal infused rock. There is an undeniable intensity that delivers Xombie music like a punch to the face. The formula isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but there is a hammer-simple attack the band employs that makes the more complex parts streamline into a precise weapon of rap infused metal, with just enough polish to find that fringe of mainstream that Rage Against the Machine or Body Count managed to tap.

Singer Atom Crews shows a commanding ability to flip a switch that fires off rapid-hit bars of rap backed by punk rock like rants and bro-hymn shout-alongs. Warped Tour could hope to have a band this cool.

The second track on the album is a ripper called, “Might As Well”. It hits with a heavy ‘rap’ feel that comes through on a lot of the  album, and also displays how fast Crews can roll out lyrics and then back them with hook laden chorus chants.

The band is making the right moves hitting the stage with some noteworthy current acts out tearing up the clubs like He is Legend, Butcher Babies, (Hed)PE, Otep, Dope, Bobaflex, Psychostick, and Apathy. They have also been making appearances at some of the ‘must-see’ music festivals like The Bamboozle, CMJ and the CBGB festival in New York.

The band had previously made some waves with a song with accompanying video called, ‘Rock Bottom’ that featured none other than backyard brawler bad-boy Kimbo Slice.

To hear more Xombie music and keep track of the band’s tour schedule, check their website at: www.xombie.nyc