Part Time Killer – People. Religion. Death.

“1000 miles away from home, and I’ll give you my heart, I’ll give you my soul, every single night on this tour, and it’s time for another amazing town, another amazing crowd, another amazing song, but no one sings along, and it’s breaking my heart,” sings vocalist Alex, voicing the plight of small bands everywhere on “Heartbreaking Music,” the opening track of Part Time Killer’s debut full length, People. Religion. Death.  Originating from Lahti, Finland, the energetic four-piece embraces the DIY ethos of 90’s melodic skate punk in the vein of Bad Religion and Pennywise.  They celebrate a classic, dying sound with a European twist perfect for those still hung up over Epitaph Records’ turn of the century shift.

Now if Alex’s sloppy, heavily accented voice (think Millencolin) rings a bell, you might remember him from his previous band, Flippin’ Beans (I was ready to make the comparison even before the band bio corrected me).  A relic existing the decade they pull their inspiration from, Flippin’ Beans called it a day in 2007 only to update their sound and relaunch with a new drummer a year later under the moniker Part Time Killer.  People. Religion. Death. is a natural progression in the band’s long history.  If Flippin’ Beans could be faulted for being a little too faithful to that early Millencolin sound, Part Time Killeracknowledges that even classic acts evolve over time.

Inserting hints of 80’s hardcore and rock, the quartet sharpens their teeth and hones their instrumental aggression.  “Teenage Tragedy” and “Saving The World” boast a razor sharp intro and reoccurring guitar solos, making every second of the track’s 1:34 run time heavy and distinct.  Thick, full bass lines thump rebelliously at the foundation of tracks like “Anti-Everything,” accenting those chorus-enhancing guitar licks.  Sami St. Hood (St. Hood) makes a guest appearance on “Story Of Your Life,” highlighting the instrumental inspiration of select tracks with New York City hardcore in the vein of Killing Time.  Meshed together under a comforting blanket of classic, bouncy punk rock full of Bad Religion inspired backing woahs and vocal harmonies, and steady No Use For A Name drumming, Part Time Killer infuse a contemporary outlook with classic EpiFat sensibilities.

Lyrically, the four-piece walks on the same path as their source material, sticking thematically close to their album title.  Most explicitly, songs like “Perfect Crime” and “Days of Insanity” speak out against religious corruption, and “Church And State” scolds religious groups for shaping government policies and agendas.  Other topics include genocide (“War”) and the conscience of war (“Freedom Fight”).  While all typical and never overtly profound, the subject matter remains just as relevant today as it did ten or twenty years ago – albeit less original.

Picking up right where Flippin’ Beans left off,Part Time Killer is a new incarnation of a familiar sound.  People. Religion. Death. combines just enough of the old with the new to justify the relaunch.  With a light peppering of heavy solos and hardcore mechanics, People. Religion. Death. is a safe and satisfying throwback for anyone with an appreciation for hook heavy melody and steady, political street punk.