Funeral for Yesterday [Bonus DVD] (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Morgan Lander (vocals, guitar); Tara McLeod (guitar); Mercedes Lander (piano, drums, background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Kevin Shirley.

Recording information: Retromedia Studios, Red Bank, NJ.

Photographer: Lindsay Campbell.

Arranger: Jack Ponti.

The Canadian all-girl band's smart yet straight-to-the-gut brand of metal has stayed a constant despite a head-spinning number of personnel changes since its 1999 debut album, SPIT. With such a firm foundation, the band can afford to dabble in a variety of styles, which it does here in full effect. The title track is chugging yet melodic heavy rock, and "Sweet Destruction" starts out as a chiming ballad, indicating there's some softness beneath the snarl, but the shredding rush of "Breathe" and the full-on roar of "This Too Shall Pass" carry the unmistakable stamp of a slash-and-burn metal band out for blood.

Canadian metal goddesses Kittie bury the past on the aptly titled Funeral for Yesterday, their fourth release and first for their own X of Infamy Records. Siblings Morgan and Mercedes Lander once again rotate out bass and guitar duties, enlisting newcomers Tara McLeod and Trish Doan to help spread the good word. First off, Morgan has ditched her death metal purr for a slicker croon that will likely divide longtime Kittie fans into warring camps, but the group has lost none of its raucous intensity, rather this new direction suits them in a way that indicates actual growth. The title track is catchy, brutal and succinct with an air of confidence that mirrors the group's newfound independence (and the tribulations that preceded it), and the slightly slicker production, courtesy of Jack Ponti (Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Alice Cooper) never feels manufactured. Fans looking for the cat they used to know and love will find her on the hard-hitting "Never Again" and "Witch Hunt," two of Funeral's strongest cuts, but overall this new "Morgan the Siren" sounds more confident and self-assured than the old "Morgan the Impaler." [Funeral for Yesterday is also available with a bonus DVD.] ~ James Christopher Monger

Canadian metal goddesses Kittie bury the past on the aptly titled Funeral for Yesterday, their fourth release and first for their own X of Infamy Records. Siblings Morgan and Mercedes Lander once again rotate out bass and guitar duties, enlisting newcomers Tara McLeod and Trish Doan to help spread the good word. First off, Morgan has ditched her death metal purr for a slicker croon that will likely divide longtime Kittie fans into warring camps, but the group has lost none of its raucous intensity, rather this new direction suits them in a way that indicates actual growth. The title track is catchy, brutal and succinct with an air of confidence that mirrors the group's newfound independence (and the tribulations that preceded it), and the slightly slicker production, courtesy of Jack Ponti (Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Alice Cooper) never feels manufactured. Fans looking for the cat they used to know and love will find her on the hard-hitting "Never Again" and "Witch Hunt," two of Funeral's strongest cuts, but overall this new "Morgan the Siren" sounds more confident and self-assured than the old "Morgan the Impaler." [Funeral for Yesterday is also available with a bonus DVD.] ~ James Christopher Monger

DVD Features:

Includes DVD minimize