July 1, 2000
AFTER THE EULOGY
By DARRYL STERDAN

AFTER THE EULOGY
Boy Sets Fire
(Victory)

Boy Sets Fire are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore. That's obvious from the opening moments of this Delaware outfit's second album, when singer -- actually, better make that vocalist -- Nathan Gray shriekingly demands, "Where's your anger? Where's your f--ing rage?" from atop a wall of muscular, kinetic metalcore. Don't worry if you can't summon up suitable fury on demand; BSF have plenty to spare on these 13 tracks, which spleen-vent on everything from downsizing (When Rhetoric Dies) to gay-bashing (Compassion as Skull Fragments on the Wall, the wickedest title we've heard this week). Along with talking the talk, these intellectual punks walk the walk with 45 minutes of relentless high-velocity punk grind and rabid intensity. Plenty of bands play hard, fast and loud because they have nothing to say. We suspect Boy Sets Fire does it to make sure you don't miss a single syllable.

Track Listing 01.After The Eulogy
  02.Rookie
  03.Pariah Under Glass
  04.When Rhetoric Dies
  05.Still Waiting For The Punchline
  06.The Abominations Of Those Virtuous
  07.Our Time Honored Tradition Of Cannibalism
  08.(Compassion) as Skull Fragments On The Wall
  09.My Life In The Knife Trade
  10.Across Five Years
  11.Twelve Step Hammer Program
  12.Unspoken Request
  13.The Force Majeure