These Arms Are Snakes - This Is Meant to Hurt You (CD)

All Music Guide

These Arms Are Snakes cull an acidic mess characteristic of their respective groups (Kill Sadie, Botch) for an impressive debut, This Is Meant to Hurt You. This five-song EP is a punk-loaded spasm of throttling guitars and disruptive bass work, and this Seattle quintet is adamant in keeping it strictly hardcore. While a lot of new-millennium punk rock thrives on a slick formula, These Arms Are Snakes avoid it with smart, cunning lyrics. An ethereal space rock sound hums underneath the band's harsh exterior, posing These Arms Are Snakes to shape an intoxicating rock mantra. Hints of emo slightly color the band's frantic testimonies of "Drinking From the Necks of the Ones You Love" and "Riding the Grape Dragon." Rousing synth layers and twitching riffs rooted in post-rock/experimental carry "Run It Through the Dog" beyond the band's automatic punk label. This Is Meant to Hurt You is a sharp introduction, and these five songs are equally cut. These Arms Are Snakes have what it takes to mo...ve beyond mainstream punk; however, pulling it off on a full-length will take a bit more focus. The confidence is there and their desire is obvious. - MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide Read more Less