Almost two years after the release of their debut album, Smile, Cane Hill is back to spread a little chaos and destruction with their album Too Far Gone (Rise Records). These New Orleans boys are no strangers to the scene, spending most of their time touring alongside heavy-hitters like Motionless in White, BlessTheFall, and Attila. However, with the release of their newest record, Cane Hill continues to prove why they should be on everyone’s radar.

Much like a horror film, Too Far Gone is a sinister and visceral look into the lives of the band. If you thought you knew the band before, you’ve never seen Cane Hill like this.  If Smile was the band’s introduction, then Too Far Gone is the band completely tearing apart their insides and laying it all out on the table for the world to see. It takes you on a journey of the most honest, soul-bearing, work the band has released thus far. The themes on the album range from topics like drug addiction – specifically the band’s experiences with LSD – and their view of the issues that plague our society.

As far as nu-metal and industrial goes, Cane Hill is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. The band has even gone as far as to coin their own phrase, calling their sound “Swamp Grunge”, which is very fitting to say the least. The gnashing grit of the instruments, mixed with chaotic vocals creates a magnificent tapestry of what the band truly has to offer.

The title track “Too Far Gone” kicks things off and serves as a glimpse into what the rest of the album has to offer. It’s fast and messy in the best way possible and even though the album starts with a bang, the momentum doesn’t stop there. “Lord of Flies” and “It Follows” are definitely among the standout tracks on the album, which makes perfect sense as to why they were released as singles. The tracks are heavy-hitters, smacking you dead in the face the moment they start.  Their catchiness is addictive, as these are two tracks that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head.

The band’s influences range from icons like Slipknot and Pantera, which is evident on the track “Singing in the Swamp”. This sludgy, self-hate fest is definitely a track that could fill an arena. They continue to trek through the sludge with “Scumbag” – a blaring “middle finger” to the current state of society and Nazism.

While the album is an incredible display of the band’s vicious sound, it has an unsuspected mix of clean vocals as well. “Why” is delicious break from the norm, showcasing vocalist Elijah Witt’s versatility on this nostalgia-filled track. 

Too Far Gone harps on the acceptance of life’s consequences and the choice one has to either change their life or continue the cycle of destruction. It’s a brutal take on the lives of Cane Hill that’s candid and all-consuming. It’s a beautifully raw manifestation of a band that’s on their way to becoming one of the most innovative names in metal.