LeAthermouth // XO

Leathermouth was formed in 2007 but after the original lead singer failed to come up with any lyrics (!?) My Chemical Romance’s rhythm guitarist Frank Iero took over, or so the story goes. After signing to Epitaph ‘XO’ is the bands’ debut album, featuring Iero on lead vocals and friends of his taking up the other positions in the group. Now, enough history and on to the music; oh dear... Iero is quoted as saying “LeAthermouth is his vehicle for releasing his pent up rage and anger, and a tool for making people aware of all the injustices in the world.” The first statement is true, as for the second, I couldn’t possibly comment as the lyrics are indecipherable as Iero screams his way through all 10 tracks while the music fades into the background. Track 4, ‘I am Going to Kill the President of the USA’ is probably a little out of date, as I’m sure he is not referring to Obama, and is the only song with anything resembling singing in it. The last track ‘Leviathon’ includes some backing ‘vocals’ but other than these two songs ‘XO’ is MCR style, (but constant) screaming with a fairly standard and unimaginative rock guitar and drumming accompaniment. Not just awful but pointless too.