By Tim Lee

With “Against Me!” looking for the crest of a new wave, Dillinger Four only playing a handful of shows a year, Hot Water Music broken up and The Lawrence Arms as the only real competition, A Wilhelm Scream has asserted itself as the best band in punk rock. “Career Suicide” is all the evidence listeners need to anoint the five members of the Massachusetts-based band as the new saviors of punk.

Following up on the release of 2005’s stellar “Ruiner,” “Career Suicide” is another example of guitarist Trevor Reilly’s relentless “more is more” song-writing theory, which can be seen in full effect on the vicious track “5 to 9.” The song displays the technical ability and incredible timing of the band. “We wouldn’t attempt another record if we didn’t think it could blow the last one away,” Reilly said. Though it seemed at one time almost an impossibility, “Career Suicide” really does blows “Ruiner” away.

“Career Suicide” is A Wilhelm Scream’s angriest and thrashiest record yet. The listener is thrown into 36 minutes and 13 songs of pure aural chaos, of which they will love every minute. With topics ranging from the futility of playing in a punk rock band on the track “I Wipe My Ass With Showbiz,” to acidic odes to ex-band members on “Cold Slither II,” the album is simultaneously the most mature and most youthful one A Wilhelm Scream has recorded; a paradox that is mirrored by the juxtaposition of melody and discord found in the music.

Reilly once again did the lion’s share of the song writing and his lyrics are laced with the familiar vitriol and abstraction of the band’s previous records. Displaying a knack for writing, he produces some of the catchiest songs that will never be radio singles, due to harsh language and brevity. In true punk fashion, A Wilhelm Scream’s lack of commercial success seems accepted and almost welcomed by the band.

With A Wilhelm Scream getting progressively better with each record, one hopes “Career Suicide” only refers to day jobs Nuno Pereira, Reilly, Nick Angelini and Brian Robinson will never have a need for again. It is hard to imagine A Wilhelm Scream, or anyone else for that matter, making a record that blows away “Career Suicide.” But that doesn’t stop fans from anxiously awaiting the next attempt.

Holding strong to the declining genre of punk, A Wilhelm Scream release “Career Suicide,” a title that doesn’t reflect the band’s future. (nitrorecords.com)