From the opening ambiance of Flatliners to the closing notes of Werewolves, the hooks and lyrics on You're All Gonna Die grab you by the throat and don’t let go. The tones achieved on this album demand to be played at full volume. The “Whoa-oh-whoa-oh” sing along choruses are in plentiful supply. The guitar tones themselves are reminiscent of a time when Jackson's and Mesa-Boogie ruled the heavy music scene and achieve a fuller sound than on the previous 3 albums. The first few times through the album the controlled chaos behind the kit with the snare drops and fills makes me wonder if the new drummer got his start playing along with the greats like Mitch Mitchell and Keith Moon in his bedroom. This album is unapologetically punk rock but there are moments throughout the album that have a definite metal influence, from the riffage to solo’s that leave the fretboard smoking. Songs like Fill This Place with Blood and Something Wicked This Way Comes will melt your face and reaffirm the talent that this band possesses. There is even a hint of 70’s boogie rock in songs like Haunted House ala Foghat or CCR sped up, that give the songs that cocky R'nR swagger that the aforementioned bands are famous for.
The lyrical themes that are present on this album continue to challenge spiritual atrophy and social ambivalence. Songs like Invisible Man and Last Man on Earth are refreshingly blunt statements about Grave Robber’s stand for the gospel, and a challenge to live it, not just read it. Invisible Man deals with the problem of homelessness not from the perspective of a social injustice but deals specifically with poor and homeless people, and calls out a church community that basically ignores these people, with the warning that if we ignore them, we are ignoring Jesus. This song highlights the command in the gospels to minister to the poor and homeless (John 21:15-19). The lyrics on Paranormal Activity tackle spiritual issues of paranormal activity and give an explanation for their existence from a biblical perspective. Something Wicked This Way Comes makes no bones about the fact that we live in a fallen world and we are surrounded by sin. Incredible Shrinking Woman tackles the issue of domestic violence. The song begins with lead singer Wretched making a plea for those trapped in abusive relationships to seek the healing power of the Re-Animator (Jesus) and get out. The intro also calls for those that are being abused to get help rather than the usual mentality of finger-pointing and blaming. Also back around for another visit is the blatant sarcasm. In the past songs like I, Zombie tackled the "If you partake in communion you are a zombie - Hahahahaha" mentality and reveled in it, this time its the church being filled with the Holy Spirit. The song Haunted House breaks down some of the christian lingo and overused phrases that attempt to explain this phenomenon. This song also recognizes the importance of the church as a building, a community, a place of worship and healing.
The energy on this album hearkens back to the Offsprings Smash, Rancid's ... And Out Come the Wolves, or the Dropkick Murphy's Sing Loud, Sing Proud. This level of energy has been missing in the current crop of made-for-radio "pop-"punk" and formulaic whiny emo bands. Grave Robber bring the energy back, and bring energy up. these guys know that punk rock is not just a sound but rather a unifying battle-cry to challenge the complacency in the status quo. In this case, Grave Robber brings the call to the church of America but rather than condemning or pointing fingers, they cry out and plead for change before it is too late. The final thought on this album... BUY-OR-DIE.
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