EP Reaction: 'Razormouth' by Defile the Crown

There’s no better day for Defile the Crown to make their studio return than Friday the 13th, with the release of their new EP, Razormouth. Coming almost a year and a half since their last single, “Frail,” this EP stands as the band’s first recorded material with their new vocalist Aaron Johnson, also known as the trap-metal artist Aku No Heavy. Johnson stepped into the band last fall and immediately made a statement at their live shows as an energetic force to be reckoned with, putting a new spin on the band’s old material and giving a promising look at their musical future. Once fans got a feel for Defile the Crown’s new sound in a live setting, the demand for new music was palpable. Fast forward to today, a little over a year since the first show with the new lineup, and Razormouth is finally here.

Kicking the EP off with the single “Lead Poisoning,” it’s instantly apparent that the new incarnation of Defile the Crown has the full intention of being more aggressive than ever, with Johnson exclaiming with his whole chest that he’ll “never turn away from the opportunity to spit in the world’s face.” That energy is heard and felt through the duration of the entire EP, with each song packing more of a punch than the last.

While you won’t hear any clean singing on this EP, there’s still a fair amount of vocal variety from song to song — the title track and “Kuckle And Bone” feature some rap-inspired rhythms, along with a spoken word section or two. There are also moments in which Johnson plainly shouts, instead of sustaining the usual full-throttle harsh vocals for the entire track. The variation is refreshing, and these small sections in each song allows them to establish their own sonic identities.

Personally, my favorite Razormouth songs come at the tail end of the EP, with “The Heavy Toll of Self Reflection” being the top highlight for me. The heavy musical elements perfectly match and complement the equally heavy and pensively contemplative lyrics, making for a track that’s tailor-made for the stage. Closing the EP is “Frail ‘24,” a re-recording of the band’s last single, now featuring Johnson on vocals. It’s a cool way to show how their sound has changed with a new vocalist while also recognizing the integrity of their past work.

All in all, Razormouth marks the beginning of a new chapter for Defile the Crown — with a new vocalist comes a new sound, and this one is lyrically aggressive and musically hostile. The new EP packs a brutal punch and makes an emphatic statement, giving fans an exhilarating look at the band's new beginning. Cultivating more of a hardcore sound akin to the likes of groups like Knocked Loose and Filth, there's a rejuvenated energy with this new music that's sure to bring any mosher into a frenzy. From the revamped version of the previously-released single “Frail” to the brooding intensity of “The Heavy Toll of Self Reflection,” Razormouth strictly offers bangers and refuses to let off the gas. As the first release since the switch in vocalists, the NC-based quartet returned with one message — this is just the beginning. See you in the pit.

Buy/stream the Razormouth EP here.

To keep up with Defile the Crown, click here.

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