Militarie Gun are among a group of bands tied to the hardcore scene that have considerably broken out. However, like their contemporaries in Turnstile, they’ve stylistically expanded from what is “traditionally” expected from a hardcore band. Ever since its inception as a COVID-19 lockdown-induced solo project for frontman Ian Shelton, Militarie Gun has evolved into a beloved and critically acclaimed band. 2023’s debut full-length, ‘Life Under The Gun,’ accelerated their rise. Showered in rich melodies with a hardcore heart, it proved to be an infectious listen.
Its follow-up, ‘God Save The Gun,’ should see a band on a precipice, yet for Shelton, it sees him looking inward. Its arc is a realisation of the person he has become, someone on a descent to rock bottom, even though Shelton has said he didn’t realise at first. As a protagonist, he’s self-destructive and self-loathing, yet he musically counters it with proven melodies. On a personal level, ‘God Save The Gun’ sees Shelton use his art to recognise and confront his struggles, documenting the realisation.
As a collective, Militarie Gun have been stunted by several line-up shake-ups. However, now with the solidified unit of Shelton, guitarists William Acuña and Kevin Kiley, bassist Waylon Trim, and drummer David Stalsworth, they’re able to build on the momentum ‘Life Under The Gun’ provided.
Although it doesn’t quite have the immediate favourability of its predecessor, there is still a lot to like about ‘God Save The Gun’ (‘GSTG’). After Shelton admits “things have not been great” on ‘Pt II,’ ‘B A D I D E A’ barges in with a rumbling bass and cheerleader chanting chorus. With its high-octane guitars and ramshackle percussion, it jumpstarts ‘GSTG’ perfectly, even if lyrically covered in Shelton’s vulnerability.
‘Fill Me With Paint’ and ‘Throw Me Away’ form a devastating portrait of self-objectification, where Shelton reduces himself to a vessel for others’ needs while desperately seeking validation through any means available. The former swirls skywards, partly thanks to Stalsworth’s energetic drum work. Whereas on the latter, a reliable and rigid rhythm backs Militarie Gun‘s familiar sharpness. ‘God Owes Me Money’ then provides the origin story, its playful synth line contrasting bitter words aimed at his alcoholic parents. Admitting “Now we both have this disease,” it comes armed with a faulty logic that surviving trauma entitles Shelton to take the same path.
As the album progresses into its manic middle section, Shelton oscillates wildly between awareness and denial. ‘Daydream’s acoustics yearn for a reset, before his desperation comes to the forefront on ‘Maybe I’ll Burn My Life Down’. Looking for some form of structure, it put his vulnerability front and centre. Its dense rhythm section and fuzzy guitars lean into its lyrical intensity. The unapologetic angst continues on ‘Kick’. With its domestic violence imagery buried underneath siren guitars and distorted drums, it provides one of the album’s standout hooks; “If I kicked you in the face, I’m sorry, but I’d do it again.”
Shelton’s desperation continues even when ‘Laugh At Me’ hints at tender dependency. As plucky guitars segue into a surging chorus, he revels in his destruction. His blissful admittance is maintained on ‘Wake Up and Smile’. However, the musical quality is inconsistent, providing ‘GSTG’ with a temporary lull.
The final act of ‘GSTG’ is elevated by a theme of reconciliation and empathy. ‘I Won’t Murder Your Friend’ is the album’s centrepiece and emphasises Shelton’s internal battle, making him empathetic, rejecting suicide ideation, and needing support. Aided by a sample of David Choe talking about Anthony Bourdain’s suicide, it creates an uncomfortable tension clouded in bleak humour. Nonetheless, Shelton’s realisation is bridged by ‘Isaac’s Song’ interlude (featuring Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock). It neatly leads into Thought You Were Waving’. Still as addictive as it was when it was first released over a year ago, it’s far from a tacked-on outlier. Beyond its dark humour and rich hooks, there is the context that Shelton had been misreading destructive signals as friendly signals. He’s consumed by his own survival to notice.
The title track sees Shelton with purpose, encouraging change with desperate conviction. It’s complemented by a fuzzy bassline, punching snare drums, and big guitars. It’s a resolute final message of not needing to hit rock bottom before trying to change is firm, even comforting.
Through jagged execution and a surprisingly complex and emotional narrative, Militarie Gun have provided a record with depth. The urgent hooks that elevated ‘Life Under The Gun’ have neatly diluted to give way to a sonic arsenal of maximalist production. In turn, it allows highlights such as ‘Maybe I’ll Burn My Life Down’ and ‘B A D I D E A’ to become dense, riveting earworms. While the bombastic melodies continue to be favourable, lyrically, Ian Shelton’s vulnerability becomes their greatest strength, making ‘God Save The Gun’ a necessary, if challenging, evolution.
‘God Save The Gun’ by Militarie Gun is released on October 17th through Loma Vista.
Find Militarie Gun on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Website
