SilentScream213 Therapy?’s sophomore release is an improvement on all fronts, and a bit of a shift in style. They adopt a punky feel and churn out short, simple and catchy tracks. However, this is still entirely an Alternative Metal release full of identity and various influences.

The biggest improvement here is probably in the hooks category. Every song has some memorable sing-along choruses that manage to mix punk yelling with a sense of melody. The lyrics are simple, angsty and introspective, and I can’t help but feel this was the perfect soundtrack to any troubled teenager’s life in 1994. The songs have great energy and a sense of urgency, and the drumming is way more energetic than the debut.

Across the 14 tracks, some are better than others, but it manages to be quite consistent despite the variety on display. It’s also a bit of a grower, so let those tracks sink in a bit and they’ll be in your head forever.

BitterJalapeno Widely considered to be their magnum opus, 1994s Troublegum is the second full length studio release by Northern Irish alternative metal outfit Therapy? The album marks a progression from the vaguely industrial/post-punk influenced music heard on predecessor “Nurse” to a more straightforward and accessible metal sound. It is altogether a more focused recording with far cleaner production, neater song structures with a much stronger and more defined vocal performance from front man Andy Cairns.

Arguably one of their most accessible releases to date, Troublegum has detectable influences from genres such as pop punk which I imagine may put some people off giving it a bash but I would advise those who haven’t listened to still do so. The album does not hang about and from the first second is bursting at the seams with aggressive riffage, catchy hooks and copious amounts of noisy feedback. Lyrically, the album explores themes of anxiety, rejection and self-loathing amongst others and is delivered to the ear canals with a large dose of hatred and rage.

Despite the obvious negativity in the musical and lyrical output, it still manages to be a fun and motivating listen which I would recommend to any fan of metal or rock based alternative music. I would also recommend catching a live performance if you ever get the chance – many songs from Troublegum are set staples.

4/5