Heavy-music fans sick to death of nu-metal trappings might not even give brutal Bay Area outfit End of the Rope the benefit of a first listen, should they see a photo of the group before they hear 'em. The braided fake-locks are accounted for. So is the standard facial hair. Ditto a little Goth-core makeup and wardrobe. In fact, to be honest, ETR's look offers little to distinguish it from any number of local acts for whom Korn is too obviously a major dietary mainstay. But to write the band off as such would be a mistake, because End of the Rope is one of the best and most exciting local groups to draw influence from the post-Slayer metal pantheon. They obviously take a cue or two from Slipknot's misanthropic purge and love of more extreme styles. ETR adds its own noise, chunky grooves, off-kilter time signatures and perverse ambiance to the mix, however, creating a sound far outside the realm of radio-courting hook-metal angst, one that's equal parts death metal marginality, moshy blast and psychotic atmosphere. Pundits looking for something a little different, and a lot better, than the latest take on Taproot would do well to look past ETR's appearance, and give the music some serious consideration.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.