Nicolas Cage Fighter – The Bones That Grew from Pain
Release Date: 22nd July 2022
Label: Metal Blade Records/ Blacklight Media Records
Pre-Order
Genre: Metallic Hardcore, Death Metal.
FFO: Justice For The Damned, Antagonist A.D, Anticline.
Review By: Ryan Payne
Nicolas Cage Fighter have been around the scene for just over a decade now, releasing singles and an EP back in 2021, as well as building a name for themselves by sharing the stage with many established bands, such as Thy Art Is Murder, Attila, Deez Nuts and Thick as Blood. Now they are ready to drop their debut album, “The Bones That Grew from Pain”. Taking their signature blend of metallic hardcore, death metal and late 90’s metal with the knowledge they’ve gained after the release of their first EP, NCF have created an incredibly infectious record, filled with elements from all their inspirations to make an album that is definitely going to get them noticed.
The production from this record sounds very raw; not as defined as you would normally get from heavier bands nowadays, but the quality of it really brings out the brutality of the songs. Having these guys record the same way as the majority of heavier bands would definitely have dumbed down the impact NCF were trying to create. Lyrically, the band continue with the narrative and themes from the first EP and the 2020 single “Hell in Me”, making this the 3rd chapter delving into the life of a person disconnected and jaded from the real world. Nicolas Cage Fighter have bought this out perfectly with their older production and the general pissed-off vibes you can get while going through this record.
As with the production, “The Bones That Grew from Pain” also takes a more simplistic approach musically, focusing more on the heaviness and aggressive side of things rather than the technicality of the music. That is in no way a bad thing. Every song is memorable in its own way and doesn’t require you to focus too much on everything going on, it’s a simply press play and punch your friend kind of album. Justin Ellis, Tom Barwell and Matt Davenport (guitarist, bassist & drummer) have created something really special with this album and all have several moments where they really shine. Nicholas Moriarty’s vocals are phenomenal throughout, keeping a consistent aggression through the record while flexing his range just enough across the record that it catches the listener off guard and is a very exciting thing to listen to.
For some of the fans that already listen to this band, 11 years is a long time to wait for a record like this, but believe me, it’ll be well and truly worth it. Nicolas Cage Fighter have created an album that is true to them and will get everyone excited. Considering it’s very bare-knuckle sound, “The Bones That Grew from Pain” truly packs a lasting punch and I hope these guys stick to this because they clearly have a knack for it and have the potential to go far. 
(4 / 5)
